Maharashtra
Man Falls into Open Manhole in Sakinaka; Body Located During Search Operation
Mumbai, July 2: A man reportedly fell into an open manhole at Khairani Road near Sanman Hotel, close to S.J. Studio in the Sakinaka area of Mumbai on Thursday afternoon, prompting an emergency search operation by civic and rescue authorities.
According to information received from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Fire Brigade Control Room, the incident was reported at approximately 12:26 p.m. Initial information from officials at the scene indicated that three private contractual maintenance workers had removed a manhole cover to carry out maintenance work.
During the operation, a man who was reportedly talking on his mobile phone accidentally stepped into the uncovered manhole and fell inside. The workers immediately lowered a ladder into the manhole in an attempt to rescue him. However, they were able to recover only his umbrella and slippers.
Officials said the strong flow of water inside the drainage system made it difficult to determine the direction in which the man had been swept away. Fire Brigade personnel, along with other emergency responders, launched a search operation.
In an update received at around 2:15 p.m., authorities confirmed that the body of the victim had been located. Fire Brigade personnel were making efforts to retrieve the body from the drainage system.
The identity of the deceased had not been officially disclosed at the time of publication.
Police and civic authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further details are awaited.
Crime
Ketan Agarwal murder case: Old video shows accused Siya Goyal abusing on phone at pub

Pune, July 2: An old video purportedly showing Siya Goyal, the prime accused in the alleged murder of her fiancée Ketan Agarwal, abusing on the phone at a pub, has surfaced online, adding a fresh dimension to the high-profile case that has drawn nationwide attention.
The video, believed to have been recorded in December 2025, allegedly captures Siya inside a pub while holding what appears to be a beer bottle and talking on the phone.
During the conversation, she is heard using abusive language and saying, “First he cheats on me, then he calls me.”
The clip has since gone viral across social media platforms, prompting renewed public interest in the investigation.
Apart from this video, several older photographs and clips featuring Siya and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary have also resurfaced online.
One such video reportedly shows the two attending a cricket league match together months before the alleged crime. Investigators, however, have not officially linked these videos to the murder case.
The case pertains to the death of 26-year-old Pune-based real estate businessman Ketan Agarwal, who allegedly died after being pushed from a cliff at Lohagad Fort in Pune district on June 18. Ketan and Siya were engaged and were reportedly planning to get married in November this year.
According to the Pune Rural Police, Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary are accused of conspiring to murder Ketan. Both were arrested following the incident and remain in police custody until July 3 as investigators continue to gather evidence and verify multiple aspects of the case.
Meanwhile, investigators have also focussed on Ketan’s mobile phone during the course of the probe. Police have confirmed that the victim’s phone remained in Siya’s possession for some time after his death before it was eventually handed over to Ketan’s family.
However, officials have not disclosed whether any data on the device was accessed, altered or deleted during that period. Authorities have also not confirmed whether either of the accused attempted to tamper with the phone or its contents.
As part of the ongoing investigation, Pune Rural Police on Wednesday recreated the alleged crime scene at Lohagad Fort. During the exercise, officials used a fibre dummy matching Ketan’s approximate height and weight and dropped it into a gorge estimated to be over 300 feet deep to understand the sequence of events surrounding the incident.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Lonavala Division) Gajanan Tompe said the reconstruction was carried out in accordance with the details gathered during the investigation.
“Today, we took the accused to Lohagad and conducted a reconstruction of the crime scene. The exercise was performed based on the facts available in the investigation. The probe is still underway, and all relevant findings will be placed before the court. We are also recording statements of everyone connected with the case and will continue to do so,” he said.
Earlier this week, police also carried out a gait analysis of co-accused Chetan Chaudhary to assist the investigation.
On Monday, the Vadgaon Maval court extended the police custody of Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary by five days after investigators sought additional time to examine evidence, question witnesses and complete pending forensic procedures in the alleged murder case.
Crime
BJP protests over admission to Rohingyas; Hyderabad college files police complaint

Hyderabad, July 2: Management of a private junior college in Hyderabad’s Old City area has lodged a police complaint against a BJP leader and his supporters for barging into the college and threatening staff to show records, alleging that children of Rohingya Muslims were studying there.
According to the complaint lodged by the principal of Nooria Cooperative Junior College with Santosh Nagar police station, 30-40 workers led by a BJP leader from Maheshawaram, Andela Sriramulu Yadav, entered the college, threatened the staff, demanding them to show the record of the students.
The incident, which occurred at the college in the Edi Bazar area on Wednesday, created fear among staff and students, said the college principal Mohammed Ghaziuddin.
He sought action against the people involved in the incident. The principal denied allegations that the college has given admission to children of illegal migrants.
Huzaifa, a lecturer at the college, clarified that admissions are given as per the Board of Intermediate norms. He said admissions are given based on valid refugee cards.
Earlier, Sriramulu Yadav alleged that several children of illegal migrants were studying at the college. He said they came to know that one student of a Rohingya was studying at the college, and when they came to check this, they found children of several foreigners studying there.
The BJP leader alleged that All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is supporting the college to give admissions to Rohingyas.
He claimed that the college authorities showed us admission records for students reported to be Rohingya, along with Class 10 bona fide certificates and other identity documents submitted during the admission process.
He demanded that the college be derecognised by the state government for giving admissions to children of illegal migrants.
Sriramulu Yadav wanted to know if AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi was opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to shield the illegal migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Maharashtra
Mumbai battered by 24 hours of heavy rain; Mulund, Santacruz, Powai worst affected

Mumbai, July 2: Mumbai witnessed relentless rainfall over the past 24 hours, with the eastern suburbs recording the highest precipitation, leading to widespread waterlogging and disruptions across several parts of the city.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), rainfall recorded between 8:00 a.m. on July 1 and 6:00 a.m. on Thursday stood at 134 mm in Mumbai City, 164 mm in the Eastern Suburbs, and 149 mm in the Western Suburbs.
Among the worst-hit locations in the eastern suburbs, Mitha Municipal School in Mulund recorded the highest rainfall at 218.6 mm, followed by the S Ward Office with 212 mm. Paspoli Municipal School in Powai received 208.4 mm, while Gavanpada Fire Station and Mankhurd Fire Station recorded 205.8 mm and 200 mm, respectively.
In the western suburbs, the SWM Santacruz Workshop registered 216 mm of rainfall, while Narialwadi School in Santacruz recorded 214.4 mm. Andheri Fire Station received 204 mm, followed by Cooper Hospital with 193.2 mm and the K-West Ward Office with 192.6 mm.
Within Mumbai City, the G-South Ward Office recorded the highest rainfall at 187.8 mm, followed by the F-South Ward Office at 179 mm and the F-North Ward Office at 175 mm. B-Nadkarni Park Municipal School in Wadala received 173.6 mm, while Adarsh Nagar School in Worli recorded 172.8 mm.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across parts of western India on Thursday and said the southwest monsoon is expected to remain active over the coming days.
The weather office has issued an Orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad, warning of moderate to intense spells of rain at isolated locations over the next three hours.
The IMD said intense rainfall is likely at isolated places across these districts, increasing the risk of waterlogging, poor visibility, and traffic disruptions during the morning hours.
Authorities have also issued a red alert for Palghar district, predicting extremely heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours. In view of the forecast, the Palghar district administration has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges.
Officials said Thane district is likely to receive very heavy rainfall over the next three days. Continuous showers since late Tuesday night have triggered severe waterlogging across several residential areas.
Several localities in Thane district, including Ambernath, Kalyan, and Bhiwandi, remained inundated, leaving residents stranded in multiple pockets as stormwater drainage systems struggled to cope with the heavy downpour.
According to an official release from the Thane Municipal Corporation, the Mayor has directed civic officials to remain on high alert and deploy all available resources to minimise inconvenience and ensure timely assistance to affected residents.
Palghar Disaster Management Cell Chief Vivekanand Kadam said the district had received very heavy rainfall, but no major untoward incidents or casualties had been reported as of late Wednesday evening.
The latest forecast comes a day after incessant rain flooded roads, disrupted transport services, and, as many residents observed on social media, once again tested the resilience of Mumbaikars.
The IMD has further stated that a low-pressure area is likely to form over the northwest Bay of Bengal around July 3. The system is expected to strengthen monsoon activity, with Mumbai and the Konkan region likely to witness continued heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next several days. Isolated places may also experience extremely heavy rainfall, prompting authorities to remain on alert.
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