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Maharashtra

Mumbai NC Inter-state ganja smuggling network exposed, 702 kg ganja seized from Gondia, Maharashtra and 02 arrested

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Mumbai: The Central Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) got a major success when the court convicted Dawood Ibrahim gang and Pathan gang chief Chinko Pathan. NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede had arrested these accused and arrested Chinko Pathan from Dongri with weapons, which is why the accused has been convicted in this case. The Central Anti-Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai convicted five accused in a major synthetic drug smuggling case. The value of the seized drugs is Rs 6.5 crore. In a major success against organised synthetic drug smuggling, the Mumbai Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has convicted five accused in a high-profile NDPS Act case involving the smuggling of Mephedrone (MD), Methamphetamine and precursor chemicals, as well as large-scale drug laundering and illegal possession of arms. On May 19, the Special NDPS Court, Thane, Maharashtra sentenced Mohammad Arif Yaqoob Bhujwala (R/O-Chinchbandar, Mumbai) to 15 years imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 2 lakh. Parvez Khan alias “Chunko Pathan” and Mohammad Salman Khan (both residents of Chinchbandar, Mumbai) and Vikrant Jain (resident of Bhiwandi, Thane) have been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000. Another convict Haris Faizullah Khan (Murshid) has been sentenced to one year imprisonment with a fine of Rs 10,000.

The case began on January 20, 2021 when NCB Mumbai officers, acting on specific intelligence, conducted a search operation in Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai and arrested a notorious history sheeter and drug smuggler Parvez Nasrullah Khan alias “Chunko Pathan”. During the operation, NCB officers recovered 52.2 grams of Mephedrone (MD) from his possession. The search resulted in the recovery of an unlicensed pistol with five live rounds, cash worth Rs 12,500, proceeds of drug smuggling, and approximately Rs 3.57 lakh. Precious metal ornaments worth Rs. were recovered which were allegedly obtained from illicit drug proceeds.

Investigation revealed that the seized contraband was supplied by another notorious smuggler and financier, Mohammed. Arif Bhujwala, who was running an organised network of synthetic drug smuggling from the Chinchbunder area of ​​Mumbai. Based on the revelations and technical investigations, the NCB teams conducted extensive searches at several premises linked to Arif Bhujwala.

The search at Noor Manzil, Chinchbunder, Mumbai resulted in the most significant seizure ever made by NCB Mumbai in a synthetic drug case so far. The officers recovered 5.375 kg of mephedrone, 990 gm of methamphetamine and 6.126 kg of ephedrine, a controlled precursor chemical widely used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs. In addition, another unlicensed firearm was seized along with cash worth Rs. 2,18,25,600. which is suspected to have been produced through illegal drug trafficking. The premises searched by the NCB were found to be functioning as storage and processing locations for synthetic narcotics. Various packaging materials, weighing machines, sealing equipment and items used for processing and distribution of contraband were also recovered during the operation. Several bank documents, mobile phones, electronic devices and financial records were seized and later analysed as part of the investigation.

Further investigation revealed the role of another accused, Mohammad Salman Khan, who was purchasing narcotics from Parvez Khan @ Chinko Pathan and further distributing it to the local drug network. A search conducted at his premises in Chinchbunder resulted in the recovery of 10.5 grams of Mephedrone along with packaging materials and weighing equipment used in distribution activities.
NCB investigators also uncovered the role of accused Vikrant Jain alias “Vicky Jain”, who was the financial backer of the drug trafficking operations. was aiding and abetting the illicit trafficking. A search was conducted at his premises in Bhiwandi which resulted in the seizure of 52.8 grams of mephedrone, including the banned substance mixed in Rajini Gandha and tobacco products. The financial records and banking instruments recovered during the search proved his role in financing and facilitating the drug trade.

In continuation of the continuous investigation and surveillance, the NCB teams successfully identified and arrested another accused, Haris Faizullah Khan, from whose possession 3 grams of mephedrone were recovered. The investigation revealed his active association with a vast network of synthetic drug trafficking.

The investigation was conducted by adopting a “bottom-up” and “network-centric” approach, systematically analysing all the forward and backward links of the smugglers. Through painstaking intelligence development, technical analysis and financial investigations, the NCB identified the principal operators, suppliers and The operation ultimately led to the dismantling of a well-established synthetic drug trafficking syndicate operating in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Considering the wide spread and financial depth of the network, NCB Mumbai had also initiated a comprehensive financial investigation to identify and link the assets generated from the illegal drug trafficking.

Crime

Fake social media account, Chat GPT used in Ketan Agarwal murder

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Pune, Sep 20: A fake account on social media platform Instagram, along with ChatGPT and murder films, was used by Siya Goyal and her co-accused in the alleged murder of her fiance Ketan Agarwal, reveals the charge sheet filed by the police in the sensational case.

The 5,053-page charge sheet, filed on Saturday, detailed the alleged conspiracy behind the death of the 26-year-old businessman at Lohagad Fort in Pune in June, NDTV reported.

Agarwal was allegedly pushed off the fort on June 18 by his fiancee Siya Goyal, who was assisted by her purported lover Chetan Chaudhary, and another accused, identified as Ritesh Hange. All three have been arrested by the police.

According to the charge sheet, the accused had initially discussed seriously injuring Agarwal and even explored the possibility of hiring someone from outside Maharashtra to carry out the attack.

Police claimed the plan was later dropped because they feared the hired assailant could expose the conspiracy or create problems for them. Investigators have mentioned that a person contacted during this stage has since become a witness, the media report said.

As per the charge sheet, the accused subsequently decided to kill Agarwal themselves and watched murder films and used ChatGPT for the purpose. They also listened to podcasts on how to avoid detection by police as part of their preparations.

Goyal and her co-accused also researched last year’s Meghalaya honeymoon murder case where Indore resident Raja Raghuvanshi was allegedly killed by his wife, Sonam, during the couple’s honeymoon in the state’s East Khasi Hills district.

Moreover, investigators stated that a fake Instagram account named ‘Mahi’ was created using the photograph of a woman known to the accused in order to “lure” Agarwal to the fort.

Subsequently, messages from the account encouraged the victim to visit the spot on June 18 for a surprise birthday plan for Goyal.

According to the chargesheet, the fake account was part of a plan devised by Ritesh Hange to bring Agarwal to the fort. The account was deleted after the incident.

Further, the charge sheet also revealed that the accused conducted a recce of locations around Lonavala before selecting Lohagad Fort.

According to investigators, Goyal and Chaudhary visited Tiger Point and other locations in search of an isolated spot.

Police said that Lohagad was eventually selected because of a death at the fort in March last year. The accused thought they could make Agarwal’s death appear like an accidental fall at the spot.

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Crime

Stall operator booked after two die of electrocution in Mumbai Lalbaug Ganesh pandal

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Mumbai, Sep 20: An FIR has been filed following a tragic electrocution incident near a Ganesh festival pandal in Mumbai Lalbaug area early on Sunday, which resulted in the deaths of two people, including an 8-year-old girl.

Two people, including an eight-year-old girl, died and four others were seriously injured after receiving electric shocks from a loose wire at a Pepsi-Cola stall near Aastha Hospital on Dattaram Lad Marg in Kalachowki, Mumbai, early Sunday.

Police have registered an FIR against nearby stall operator Kamal Shetty under Sections 106(1) and 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, alleging negligence, and have begun an investigation.

According to information from the fire brigade, the incident occurred at around 2 a.m. on Sunday when devotees were present near the pandal.

Two boys and three girls, aged between 8 and 20, reportedly came into contact with the electrical current and suffered burn injuries.

Following the incident, all five victims were rushed to Masina Hospital in Byculla for treatment. Doctors declared the 8-year-old girl Raghni Ghanshyam Yadav dead upon arrival.

Meanwhile, a second victim, a woman who was admitted to Global Hospital in Parel, later succumbed to her injuries. Her identity was yet to be ascertained.

Kiran Akbar Naik, 19, Tanvi Narsh Hande, 19, Sahil Sandip Tare, 19, and Ruhi Singh, 12, were undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the incident.

Among the injured, one girl was reportedly in critical condition and was shifted to Global Hospital in Parel for further treatment. The remaining three injured victims are undergoing treatment at Masina Hospital and have been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), where their condition remains serious.

According to the FIR filed at Kalachowki Police Station, the wire allegedly came into contact with the girl, Raghni, and others nearby.

The girl was declared dead at Masina Hospital, while another woman, identified as 33-year-old Sujata Thorati, died at Global Hospital. Four injured persons were admitted for treatment.

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Maharashtra

17-year-old among three killed in Mumbai high-end car accident (Lead)

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Mumbai, Sep 20: A 17-year-old was among the three people who were killed in a serious accident involving a high-end car on the Mumbai Coastal Road early on Sunday, officials said.

Another person is critically injured and is currently receiving treatment.

According to information received from the Coastal Road Control Room, the accident occurred at around 5.20 a.m. near Lotus Jetty, opposite Lala College.

The car was travelling from Marine Drive towards Haji Ali when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle due to overspeeding.

The speeding vehicle crashed onto the Coastal Road and hit a boundary wall. It fell off the bridge into an area where construction work was underway.

The severity of the accident was evident from the extent of the damage to the car.

The vehicle tore off through the signboard hanging from the bridge. The roof of the car was pushed inwards, the windshield was shattered, and the bonnet was completely destroyed.

Following the accident, all four occupants of the car were rushed to Nair Hospital, where emergency medical teams assessed their condition.

According to an update issued by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Nair Hospital at around 8.40 a.m., three of the occupants were declared brought dead by doctors.

Two of the deceased have been identified as 21-year-old Shanay Gajjal and 17-year-old Dhirya Seth. The identity of the third deceased is yet to be ascertained.

The injured has been identified as 23-year-old Aditya Oswal.

Speaking about the incident to media, Senior Police Inspector Meena Jagtap said: “At around 5:20 a.m., a black BMW was travelling from Marine Drive towards Haji Ali in the northbound direction when it fell from the Coastal Road. There were four people in the car. Three people died, while Aditya is currently at Nair Hospital.”

She said that it is yet to be ascertained whether the occupants of the car were in an intoxicated state when the accident occurred.

Police are investigating the case.

Further details are awaited.

On September 3, several people were booked after Mumbai Police took cognisance of a viral video showing luxury and high-performance cars speeding and racing dangerously inside the Marine Drive-Southbound Coastal Road tunnel.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, three people were critically injured after a speeding off-road SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) hit them near PKC Hospital in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

The driver fled the spot after the crash instead of helping the injured.

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