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Mumbai: De-Addiction Cases At KEM Hospital Rise By 15-20% In 2024

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Mumbai: The increasing number of young people falling prey to addiction has worried psychiatrists as the de-addiction centre run by KEM Hospital Parel has witnessed a 15% to 20% surge in new cases this year. According to the doctors running the centre, most of the patients seeking treatment are between the ages of 18 and 30.

Data from January to May this year reveals that 75 young patients in this age range are currently undergoing treatment, making it the largest demographic at the centre. There are 47 patients aged 31 to 45, nine patients under 18, and seven patients aged 46 to 60.

Dr Sangeeta Ravat, Dean Of The Hospital On The Reason For The Rise

Dr Sangeeta Ravat, dean of the hospital, said one reason for the rise is increased awareness about the centre. “Overall surge in addiction rates can be a reason behind the rising trend we are seeing at our centre. It can also be because they are more aware of seeking help at the centre. Our doctors are also visiting schools and counselling, sensitising parents and students about the harmful effects of addiction and the services available,” he said.

Dr Shilpa Adarkar, additional professor, psychiatry department of KEM Hospital, said addiction among school and college-going teenagers and young adults is a growing concern. Adarkar, who has been working at the centre for the past 30 years, said, they are now seeing children with MDMA (MD) drugs and marijuana addiction too.

“Earlier, we used to see most addictions related to marijuana, sleeping pills, tobacco, cough syrup, brown sugar, inhalation of nail polish or adhesives, and alcoholism,” she said.

Dr Adarkar added that patients coming to KEM Hospital are from economically weaker backgrounds and it is a cause for concern to see an increased accessibility to high-value drugs such as MDMA among children from poor economic backgrounds.

About KEM’s De-Addiction OPD Unit

KEM, the only civic hospital in Mumbai with a dedicated de-addiction OPD unit, expanded its services last year, adding 45 beds as part of a revamp to meet rising demand. On average, 1,000 to 1,200 new patients visit the OPD each year, while thousands more attend followups. Last year alone, 680 patients sought help for alcohol addiction, with another 270 seeking treatment for dependencies on other substances such as brown sugar, marijuana and sedatives. Alcohol addiction remains the most pervasive, affecting about 70% of patients.

Doctors cite various triggers for addiction, including peer pressure, mental stress, relationship problems, academic and personal challenges, as well as curiosity and the influence of media.

“Advertisements and movies that glamourise substance use can heavily impact vulnerable youth,” said Dr Adarkar, who stressed the importance of recognising these triggers to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.

On Risk On Unproven Home Treatments

KEM doctors also warn against the risk of unproven home treatments promoted in de-addiction advertisements. Dr Ajita Nayak, head of psychiatry, cautions families against using such methods, which could harm patients further, and instead urges families to consult a trained psychiatrist.

Dr Nayak emphasised the role of families and society in addressing addiction. “Parents need to monitor their children’s social circles, media consumption, and spending habits,” she advised, adding that spending quality time and fostering open communication are vital preventive measures.

Maharashtra

Bollywood in the Crosshairs After Firing at Tiger Shroff; Legal Action Initiated Against Bishnoi Gang, Three Shooters Arrested

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Mumbai: The Crime Branch has claimed to have solved the case involving a shooting incident targeting Tiger Shroff in the Juhu area of ​​Mumbai. Addressing a press conference, Mumbai Crime Branch DCP Raj Tilak Roshan stated that two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle carried out the shooting. The Crime Branch received information that, following the incident, the shooters abandoned their Pulsar motorcycle at Andheri station and traveled by train toward Kota. The Crime Branch alerted the Kota police, who subsequently arrested three suspects. The police have now taken all three individuals into custody. Additionally, Anil Pandit had circulated a post online referencing the ‘Bishnoi gang,’ a matter that is currently under police investigation. Regarding the targeting of Bollywood figures by the Bishnoi gang, DCP Raj Tilak Roshan noted that action has been taken against the group—including in the earlier case involving the shooting incident at Salman Khan’s residence. In the current case, the Crime Branch has registered a case under charges of attempted murder and the Arms Act. Legal proceedings are also underway concerning the Lawrence and Anmol Bishnoi gang, with efforts being made to secure the custody of Lawrence Bishnoi. The DCP explained that comprehensive information was provided to the Kota police, as Crime Branch teams had been actively pursuing the shooters. To date, no weapons have been recovered from the suspects. Authorities are currently verifying a post circulating on social media to determine whether it originated from the Bishnoi gang, and action is being taken against those involved. The suspects spent 10 to 15 minutes surveying the scene before carrying out the shooting. One of the suspects, 22-year-old Ritik (alias Roshan), has completed his education up to the 12th grade. None of the three suspects are minors; therefore, they will all be held in custody for further interrogation. Five rounds were fired. Prior to this incident, no complaints regarding threats against Tiger Shroff had been received; the police are investigating every aspect of the case and have already begun questioning the three suspects while they remain in custody. The three individuals—Ritik (alias Roshan), Rehan Rashiduddin, and Paul Singh—have been arrested. Rehan, who previously worked as a ‘Rapido’ (ride-hailing) driver in Mumbai, eventually became a shooter. The suspects were apprehended from the general compartment of a train; they were attempting to flee toward Delhi and Nepal. DCP Raj Tilak Roshan stated that, in light of their involvement in past shooting incidents and their ties to the Bishnoi gang, the MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) has been invoked against these shooters.

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Maharashtra

E-Office System Implemented in Mumbai Municipal Corporation; 14,000 Users to Be Integrated in Phases to Make Administration More Transparent and Efficient

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Mumbai – The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is implementing an ‘E-Office’ system to make its administrative operations more dynamic, transparent, and efficient through the effective use of modern technology. This system will facilitate the digitalization of various administrative processes, including the management of official files, correspondence, and the processing of proposals. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide stated that the system will be rolled out across the entire corporation in a phased manner, encompassing approximately 14,000 users. This initiative is expected to reduce paper consumption and render the decision-making process smoother, faster, and more transparent.

On October 17, 2026, a monthly review meeting involving various BMC departments was held at the ‘Command and Control Centre’ in Worli. During the meeting, preparations for the implementation of the ‘E-Office’ system—including technical infrastructure, training requirements, and administrative planning—were reviewed. Ashwini Bhide addressed the meeting in this regard.

The meeting was attended by Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakne, Joint Commissioner (Vigilance) Dr. M. Devender Singh, and Deputy Commissioner (Commissioner’s Office) Prashant Gaikwad. Additionally, all Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, and heads of various departments were also present.

Digitalization of Administrative Affairs via ‘e-Office’
Providing information about the ‘e-Office’ system, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide explained that ‘e-Office’ is an office management system developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). In accordance with a government resolution issued by the Government of Maharashtra, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated the implementation of this system. The ‘e-Office’ system will enable the execution of administrative tasks digitally, thereby reducing reliance on paper-based files. Processes such as recording notes (note sheets), drafting documents, submitting proposals, and granting approvals can now be completed online, following a defined workflow. Consequently, this will not only accelerate the pace of work but also ensure transparency and accountability within administrative procedures.

Managing File Movement and Monitoring Pending Matters
The ‘e-Office’ system facilitates the creation and management of electronic files, as well as their routing to the relevant officers or departments. It allows for the systematic recording of inward and outward correspondence, the integration of scanned documents into the system, and the tracking of subsequent actions taken. Furthermore, the system enables the approval of notes, drafts, and orders through the use of digital signatures. Furthermore, it enables the monitoring of file movement, pending cases, decisions taken, and official correspondence. The ability to save and archive electronic records—along with the existence of a centralized repository for documents—makes information management highly organized and efficient. Phased Onboarding of 14,000 Users.

The implementation of the e-Office system across the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will take place in phases. This process will involve approximately 14,000 users, with specific roles and responsibilities defined at every level to ensure the effective use of the system. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide stated that a circular has been issued regarding the re-implementation of the e-Office system and its effective application in administrative affairs.

Focus on Training, Technical Facilities, and Digital Signatures
To ensure the effective implementation of the e-Office system, the Information Technology Department will conduct ‘Train-the-Trainer’ sessions for nodal officers. A central help desk will be established to resolve any technical issues that may arise during the use of the system. Additionally, a core team—led by the heads of the respective departments—will be formed to oversee the implementation process.
Emphasis is being placed on providing the necessary computing facilities and technical infrastructure, as well as ensuring that the relevant officers and staff receive appropriate training. Ms. Bhade stated that ‘Digital Signature Certificates’ (DSC) have been provided to the officers authorized to sign documents. She further explained that the effective implementation of the ‘e-Office’ system will promote digital operations within the BMC administration. This will expedite office tasks, reduce paper usage, and make the decision-making process more transparent and accountable.

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Maharashtra

‘Should face same punishment as adults’: Abu Azmi demands lowering of age of juvenile offenders to 14

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Samajwadi Party (SP) Maharashtra President and MLA, Abu Asim Azmi, on Monday demanded that the age threshold for treating an accused as a minor be lowered, arguing that juveniles aged 15 or 16 should face the same punishment as adults if they commit murder.

Speaking to media, Azmi said, “First and foremost, my demand is that the age threshold for a minor be lowered from 17 years to 14 years. At 15 or 16, young people have ‘hot blood’; they fear no one and are capable of doing anything. This age limit should be reduced to 12, 13 or 14 years. If they commit murder, they should face the same punishment as anyone else.”

Reacting to the firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai, Azmi criticised Mumbai’s law and order situation, alleging that several incidents of murder and violence had taken place without receiving adequate public attention.

“First Baba Siddique, now Tiger Shroff, and it doesn’t end there. Many other murders have occurred previously as well. However, since those victims were not prominent or famous figures, their cases haven’t been highlighted. Murders are rampant in Mumbai. In Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar, people are being murdered over the most trivial matters. The law and order situation is in a dire state,” he said.

Azmi also criticised the Maharashtra government, alleging that it was focussing its efforts on targeting Muslims rather than addressing law and order concerns.

“I want to tell Chief Minister Fadnavis that this government is focussing all its energy on humiliating Muslims. I ask, why don’t such murders happen in Singapore? Why does no one dare to commit such acts there? Why are there no murders in Arab countries? And if a murder does occur, how quickly is a verdict reached? Just look back at the pages of history,” he said.

He added that people in Mumbai were living in constant fear and said it was shameful for the government when individuals openly claimed responsibility for such crimes.

The firing incident took place on Sunday at around 7 p.m. when Tiger Shroff was returning by car from a football ground in Mumbai’s Juhu area.

According to police, the assailants fired at the vehicle with a pistol, injuring the driver. Another person present at the scene was also hit by a bullet.

A Mumbai Police official said Shroff managed to lean forward when the shots were fired, helping him avoid a direct hit. However, he sustained an injury from a fragment of shattered glass.

Police are investigating the motive behind the attack, tracing the weapon used in the shooting and determining whether other individuals were involved.

In a major development in the case, Kota City Police in Rajasthan apprehended three suspects, including a minor, at Kota railway station in connection with the firing incident on the Bollywood star.

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