Mumbai: The Kalachowki police have registered an FIR against Sadanand Vishwanath Darekar and his wife, Neelima Darekar, residents of Shiravane, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, for allegedly cheating the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd. by submitting forged documents resembling original property papers to obtain a home loan of Rs 30 lakh. The alleged fraud pertains to an outstanding principal amount of Rs 29.28 lakh.

According to the FIR, the complainant, Balu Chintu Yadav, 55, branch manager of the Lalbaug branch of the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank since 2020, stated that the accused had applied for a home loan in 2014 to purchase Flat No. 102, first floor, Shri Om Apartment, Shiravane (JES), Sector 1, Nerul. The loan was approved by the bank’s divisional office at Mahim on December 15, 2014.

The bank accepted purported original property documents, including an agreement showing the developer Shri Om Construction & Builders (Dnyaneshwar N. Sutar) selling the property to Tanaji Shankar Mohite in 2007, and a subsequent agreement dated February 26, 2014, showing Mohite selling the flat to Sadanand Darekar.

A legal title certificate issued by advocate Dilip V. Zore declared the property mortgageable, while a valuation report by M/s Vishal Associates assessed the property value at Rs 44.10 lakh. The property was mortgaged in favour of the bank on December 30, 2014, and the loan amount of Rs 30 lakh was disbursed via pay order to the seller on January 5, 2015.

However, the borrowers allegedly stopped paying EMIs from April 6, 2016, resulting in the account turning non-performing. Despite repeated demand notices, the dues remained unpaid. As of August 31, 2016, the outstanding principal stood at Rs 29,28,370, with accrued interest of Rs 1,92,174 at that time.

A recovery certificate under Section 101 of the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960, was obtained on March 30, 2017. Acting on this, the bank took possession of the mortgaged property on November 25, 2024, through the Belapur Mandal Officer, Navi Mumbai.

During an inspection on June 26, 2025, the bank’s recovery officer noticed that instead of the Mumbai Bank’s notice, the flat door displayed a SARFAESI Act, 2002 auction notice issued by The City Cooperative Bank.

Subsequent correspondence revealed that City Cooperative Bank had also sanctioned a loan of Rs 28.50 lakh to Sadanand Darekar on September 24, 2014, against the same property, and had seized it on January 17, 2025, for loan default.

Upon verification on August 12, 2025, Mumbai Bank officials found that the documents submitted to both banks appeared identical. However, records obtained from the Sub-Registrar’s office (Thane-6) revealed discrepancies between the genuine registered documents and those submitted to Mumbai Bank, indicating that forged documents resembling originals were used to secure the loan.

Following these findings, the bank lodged a complaint at the Kalachowki police station. The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Act and initiated further investigation.

New Delhi, Dec 24: In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, the Anti-Narcotics Cell of Delhi Police’s Outer North District has arrested two alleged drug peddlers and recovered 304 grams of fine-quality heroin, valued at around Rs 1.50 crore in the international market, officials said on Wednesday.

The seized contraband falls under the “commercial quantity” category under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

According to police, the arrests were made on December 21 following a specific tip-off about the movement of drug traffickers in the Narela area.

Acting swiftly on the information, a special raiding team was constituted under the leadership of Inspector Gaurav Choudhary, in-charge of the Anti-Narcotics Cell, and under the guidance of ACP Dinesh Kumar.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of DCP Outer North District Hareshwar Swami, IPS, and overall leadership of Joint Commissioner of Police, Northern Range, Vijay Singh, IPS.

“On conducting the search of their Vehicle (Shine Motorcycle bearing no. DL 5S CX 4), 304 grams of fine quality of Heroin (Commercial quantity) was recovered,” the police said in its press note.

The two accused have been identified as Taslim (23), a resident of New Seemapuri, and Salman Ansari (29), also a resident of New Seemapuri.

Taslim is a driver by profession and is reportedly a drug addict who has been involved in supplying narcotics for a considerable period. Salman Ansari, a tailor by profession, is a repeat offender and has previously been booked under the NDPS Act, police said.

Following the recovery, a case was registered at Police Station Narela under FIR No. 867/25 dated December 21, 2025, under Sections 21, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act. Both accused were arrested on the spot, and the motorcycle used for transporting the contraband was also seized.

“Both accused persons are currently in custody, and further investigation of the case is going on to dismantle the “backward and forward” linkages of this supply chain to identify the kingpins and distributors involved in this syndicate,” said DCP Hareshwar Swami.

New Delhi, Dec 23: In a major boost to the Centre’s ‘Drug-Free India’ campaign, Delhi Police have arrested a female drug peddler in Nihal Vihar and recovered 341 grams of ganja along with Rs 3.72 lakh in cash, suspected to be proceeds from the sale of narcotics, officials said on Tuesday.

According to Delhi Police, the action was carried out by a patrolling team of Police Station Nihal Vihar on December 20, following specific directions from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer District, to maintain heightened vigilance against drug trafficking.

The team, comprising ASI Arvind, Woman Head Constable Yogita and Constable Sanjeet, was on routine patrol in the Adhyapak Nagar area when they noticed a suspicious woman standing near a house close to Pari Garden with a brown-coloured carry bag.

Police said that as soon as the woman noticed the patrol team, the crowd gathered around her dispersed, and she attempted to flee.

“On sensing the police staff, the crowd dispersed immediately, and the female carrying the brown-coloured carry bag also attempted to flee, but the vigilant team swiftly chased and apprehended her on the spot,” the police said in its press note.

Upon weighing, the contraband was found to be 341 grams of ganja. A total sum of Rs 3,72,830 was also recovered, which police believe to be proceeds from the illegal sale of narcotics.

The seized drugs and cash were confiscated on the spot following due legal procedures.

Subsequently, a case was registered at Police Station Nihal Vihar vide FIR No. 960/2025 under Section 20(b)(ii)A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The accused woman was formally arrested in the case.

Further verification revealed that the accused has a criminal history and was previously involved in more than five cases under the Delhi Excise Act, police said.

“The Outer District police remain committed to eliminating narcotics-related crimes and safeguarding the community,” said DCP Sachin Sharma.