Raigad: (Kamar Ansari) In a major disciplinary action that has sent shockwaves through the police department, six police personnel from the Local Crime Branch (LCB) in Raigad district have been suspended. The action was ordered by Superintendent of Police Anchal Dalal after serious irregularities and misconduct were detected during the investigation of a suspicious metal transportation case.

According to officials, the incident dates back to April 1, 2026, when a Mahindra Bolero pickup vehicle was found parked under suspicious circumstances in the Varsgaon–Kamani area of Roha taluka. Upon inspection, approximately 200 kilograms of copper and steel scrap, valued at around ₹1 lakh, was discovered in the vehicle. While some of the seized material was reportedly taken into custody by Mangaon Police, it later emerged that the case was registered at Kolad Police Station instead of Mangaon, raising serious procedural concerns.

During the course of the inquiry, SP Anchal Dalal observed that the handling of the case by the concerned officers was questionable and not in accordance with established procedures. Taking serious note of these lapses, she ordered the suspension of six personnel, including Police Sub-Inspector Avinash Patil, Head Constable Sandeep Pahelkar, and constables Babaso Pingale, Moreshwar Omale, Omkar Sondkar, and Lalasao Waghmode.

The suspended personnel have been directed to report twice daily at the Raigad-Alibag control room during the suspension period. They have also been instructed to immediately surrender their official kits and identity cards. Additionally, they are prohibited from engaging in any private employment or business during this time.

A departmental inquiry has been initiated against the accused personnel. Officials stated that their suspension was necessary to ensure that the investigation is conducted fairly and without interference.

This action has raised serious questions about the functioning of the Local Crime Branch in Raigad. Whether the lapses were due to negligence or deliberate misconduct will be determined through the ongoing inquiry. The case has sparked widespread discussion about discipline and transparency within the police force.

Further developments are expected as a high-level investigation may reveal more details. If the personnel are found not guilty, they may be reinstated into service. However, for now, the incident has become a major talking point across Raigad district.

Kalyan: The escalating traffic congestion in Kalyan has triggered a sharp political confrontation with Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leaders locking horns with the traffic police over alleged administrative failure and irregularities involving auto-rickshaw operations.

The issue came to a head during a heated meeting at the ACP traffic office where Shiv Sena (UBT) Deputy Leader Vijay Salvi accused the traffic department of being “inactive” and alleged a nexus between officials and rickshaw drivers. The confrontation underscored growing frustration among commuters who continue to face daily gridlocks near key transit points.

According to the complaint submitted by the party despite the presence of designated auto-rickshaw stands near Kalyan railway station drivers allegedly occupy roads near Deepak Hotel, Vikas Hotel, and Santosh Hotel, leading to severe bottlenecks. This unauthorized clustering forces commuters to struggle for rickshaws at official stands while traffic flow remains heavily disrupted.

The complaint further highlights rampant fare-related violations and overloading practices. Rickshaw drivers are accused of refusing short-distance passenger instead prioritizing longer routes for higher earnings. In several instances vehicles were found carrying passengers beyond permissible limits.

Additionally, commuters have reported arbitrary fare hikes post 10 PM, a time when the presence of traffic personnel is said to be minimal. These practices have not only inconvenienced passengers but also raised serious concerns about safety and regulatory enforcement.

Traffic congestion is further aggravated during night hours due to the presence of private tourist buses parked along key routes such as Sahajanand Chowk, Agra Road, and Murbad Road. These buses often stationed along the roadside, significantly reduce carriageway space and choke vehicular movement.

The situation near the station premises becomes even more chaotic as private buses enter the already congested zone, bringing traffic to a near standstill.

Shiv Sena leaders alleged that traffic police personnel are frequently absent at crucial junctions leaving traffic management largely in the hands of wardens. They also pointed out poor enforcement of one-way traffic rules across the city.

Along with Vijay Salvi, city chief Bala Parab, group leader Umesh Borgavankar, Dutta Khandagale, and former corporator Daya Shetty met ACP Kiran Balwarkar and Traffic In-charge Milind Jhogde demanding immediate corrective measures and the implementation of a robust traffic management plan.

Responding to the allegations, Traffic In-charge Milind Jhogde attributed part of the problem to ongoing Smart City works near Kalyan station. He stated that the lack of designated parking space has forced rickshaw drivers to park haphazardly.

Action is ongoing against violations of one-way rules and illegal parking by travel buses. We are making continuous efforts to ensure that traffic congestion is minimized Jhogde said.

With traffic congestion worsening by the day, coupled with alleged administrative lapses and unregulated transport practices, commuters in Kalyan continue to bear the brunt. All eyes are now on the administration to see whether decisive action will be taken to restore order on the city’s roads.

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court flagged serious lapses in the police probe but refused to grant bail to an accused in a sexual assault case, observing that the investigation was not conducted “in proper manner.”

According to the prosecution, the complainant met the accused through a dating application in 2021, following which they remained in contact and met on multiple occasions.

She has alleged that he subjected her to non-consensual sexual acts during visits to Delhi and Mumbai, recorded intimate moments without her consent, and later circulated those images and videos to her family members and colleagues after she ended the relationship.

On her complaint, Pant Nagar Police Station had registered an FIR under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Information Technology Act.

The defence advocate, Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh, argued that the FIR itself reflected a consensual relationship between two adults and that there was no independent material to substantiate allegations of force. It was also contended that the arrest was illegal as the grounds of arrest were not furnished.

Prosecutor Veera Shinde and complainant’s advocate Tanay Mandot, however, relied on WhatsApp chats, witness statements and an email allegedly sent by the accused admitting that he had shared the intimate material with the complainant’s family. They argued that these materials clearly indicated that the relationship was not consensual.

Mandot pointed out that despite the allegations of circulating the complainant’s photos and videos to her family, the police had not seized the mobile phone of the accused.

Justice R M Joshi noted significant shortcomings in the investigation, particularly the delay in seizing crucial evidence such as the complainant’s mobile phone.

“This therefore indicates that the investigation has not been done here in this case in proper manner,” the court observed, directing that its order be forwarded to superior officers for “appropriate consideration”.

Despite these lapses, the court held that the material collected during the investigation prima facie supported the prosecution’s case. It rejected the defence argument that the relationship was consensual, observing that the accused’s conduct, especially the act of circulating private images, pointed to coercion rather than a “love affair.”

“Having regard to the serious nature of offence… this is not a fit case to grant bail,” the court said, dismissing the application.