New Delhi, June 14: The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Madhya Pradesh has intensified its crackdown on suspected anti-national activities, continuing raids for the second consecutive day and arresting alleged mastermind and senior agent Naeem Qureshi in a major development in the case.

The arrested accused was taken into custody from the Sarangpur area of Uttar Pradesh and later produced before the court, where he was remanded to four days of ATS custody for further interrogation.

He is accused of sharing sensitive information with foreign elements, training Bhopal resident Mohammad Faraz, and planning to send him to Afghanistan. Evidence of jihadist literature, suspicious documents, and calls to Afghanistan and Pakistan have been found.

Officials said that during the investigation, evidence, including suspected jihad-related literature, suspicious documents, and financial transaction records linked to religious institutions, was recovered.

ATS sources further stated that digital examination of the accused’s mobile phone revealed communication with numbers based in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Investigators also found evidence suggesting the accused used an application to communicate with foreign contacts.

The probe has also indicated that photographs and videos from multiple cities in Uttar Pradesh were allegedly being sent to Pakistan, raising concerns about a wider cross-state network.

Investigators suspect that the module may be spread across several states and could be operating in a sleeper-cell-like structure. Agencies are now working to identify additional members and establish the full extent of the alleged network.

A statement issued by the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) said the operation also led to further arrests and detentions. It said ATS arrested Haji Azhar from Dhar (Madhya Pradesh) and also brought a suspect from Nuh, Haryana, to Bhopal for questioning.

The agency further alleged that a handler based in Saudi Arabia was inciting youths for jihad-related activities.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are likely as agencies continue to examine digital evidence, financial trails, and communication records connected to the case.

Mumbai, June 13: Police in Maharashtra’s Dongri arrested five accused within 24 hours of registering a case involving the alleged kidnapping, wrongful confinement, assault, and humiliation of a 33-year-old man over a financial dispute.

According to the police, the victim, identified as Sachin Ranpise (33), was held captive, threatened, and subjected to severe mental and physical torture over a loan of Rs 2 lakh. The victim was allegedly denied food and water for nearly 48 hours, beaten with a belt, and paraded naked as part of the abuse.

The incident took place in Mumbai’s Dongri area, where the victim was allegedly held hostage and tortured following a dispute related to the repayment of the loan.

Police said that Sachin had borrowed Rs 2 lakh from one of the accused some time ago. Due to financial difficulties, he was unable to repay the amount on time and had requested an extension. However, the accused allegedly insisted on immediate repayment and subsequently conspired to kidnap and torture him.

According to the complaint, Sachin was forcibly confined in Room No. 104 of the MM Residency Lodge, located near Baba Dargah in Dongri, between June 8 and June 10. During this period, he was allegedly deprived of food and water. The accused reportedly assaulted him repeatedly with a leather belt, causing injuries to his head, arms and back.

The complaint further stated that the accused subjected him to extreme humiliation by stripping him naked and forcing him to walk through the lodge corridor.

On June 11, the victim managed to escape and reached the Dongri Police Station, where he narrated his ordeal. Acting on his complaint and under the guidance of senior officers, the Crime Detection Team immediately launched an investigation.

Although the initial examination of CCTV footage did not provide conclusive evidence, the police, with the help of local intelligence inputs, traced the accused and laid a trap in the Mazgaon area. All five accused were subsequently apprehended.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Abdullah Shaukat Bhusari (21), Junaid Qaymuddin Khan (26), Mohammad Saad Pathan (26), Arafat Hasham Khanani (24), and Sahil Shaikh (25).

Police have also recovered items allegedly used in the commission of the crime from the accused.

Further investigation into the case is underway.

Mumbai, June 12: Sejal Pawar, a medical student at Mumbai’s King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, has submitted a written apology to the institution after a video of her making controversial remarks about cadavers went viral on social media, triggering widespread criticism and legal action.

Hospital sources said senior doctors were deeply upset by Pawar’s comments, particularly because cadavers are voluntarily donated for medical education and are regarded with the utmost respect by the medical fraternity.

According to hospital authorities, Pawar has not been suspended, and no disciplinary action, such as suspension, has been taken against her so far. However, officials indicated that while the institution does not intend to be excessively harsh, it will deal with the matter seriously.

The senior doctors of the hospital have told her that her statement on social media has hurt them a lot, sources said, adding that the issue concerns the dignity accorded to body donors who make medical education possible.

Pawar, who hails from Pune, came under intense scrutiny after a video clip from a public programme went viral online. In the clip, she allegedly made objectionable remarks related to the private parts of cadavers while discussing a sensitive medical education topic in a light-hearted manner.

The controversy prompted strong backlash on social media and led to the registration of an FIR against her. Maharashtra Cyber Police has also initiated action in the matter.

Taking cognisance of the incident, KEM Hospital ordered an internal inquiry and constituted a committee to examine the issue. The hospital administration directed the panel to submit its report at the earliest.

Amid mounting criticism and institutional scrutiny, earlier, Pawar issued a public apology through a detailed post on Instagram.

“Recently, a video clip of mine has gone viral on social media. After watching the video again, I realised how much my words hurt people’s sentiments,” she said in a video post.

She acknowledged that the subject she spoke about was highly sensitive and said she never intended to offend anyone.

“I am not going to justify it, never going to take the wrong side. I wanted to come here and make a public apology. I take full responsibility for my mistake,” she said.

Calling the episode a major learning experience, Pawar added that as a student, she had learned an important lesson and would ensure that such an incident is never repeated in the future.

The hospital’s inquiry report is awaited, while authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the viral video and its impact on public sentiment and medical ethics.