Crime
Mumbai Police targets hidden assets of fugitive duo in Rs 122 crore New India Cooperative Bank scam
New Delhi, March 13: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police is investigating a major financial fraud involving the New India Cooperative Bank, which has reportedly seen a Rs 122 crore embezzlement.
The investigation has revealed that former bank president Hiren Bhanu, who is wanted in the case, along with his wife Gauri Bhanu, the bank’s current acting president, and vice president, have purchased multiple properties between 2019 and 2024.
A police official stated that during this period, Rs 122 crore was embezzled from the bank, raising suspicions that the properties acquired by the Bhanu couple may be proceeds of crime.
The EOW is now focussing on investigating these properties as part of their probe into the financial scam. The police are exploring the use of new provisions under the BNSS (Bureau of Non-Specific Financial Crime) Act to seize the assets of the fugitives, as the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) cannot be applied in this case.
The official further elaborated, “We are examining how these properties can be seized, considering that MCOCA does not apply. We are also exploring if the MCOCA provisions can be added to the FIR.”
According to the investigation, just before the scam came to light, the couple fled the country, and in the period between 2019 and 2024, Hiren Bhanu reportedly acquired assets worth Rs 10-12 crore in Mumbai and its outskirts.
The EOW has been closely monitoring these properties, which are now under scrutiny to assess whether they were purchased with the stolen funds. The police are considering invoking BNSS Section 107 (related to property attachment, confiscation, or restoration) to seize the assets, as this provision gives law enforcement the authority to confiscate properties when specific Acts like MCOCA cannot be applied.
This investigation is ongoing, and the EOW is working to ensure that the proceeds of the crime are properly recovered, while also ensuring accountability for the Bhanu couple’s actions in the ongoing Rs 122 crore bank scam.
Crime
Three men arrested in Madhya Pradesh for circulating video of tourist in Ajmer

Jaipur, Sep 30: Rajasthan Police arrested three men from Madhya Pradesh in connection with the alleged recording and circulation of an objectionable video of an Israeli woman in Ajmer.
According to police, the incident took place on September 9, 2026, when the woman was allegedly filmed without her consent while bathing at the Ajaypal Baba Ajaysar Kund. The video was later circulated on social media.
Acting on the directions of Ajmer Superintendent of Police Harshvardhan, special police teams used technical evidence and social media monitoring to trace the suspects. Police said the arrests were made as part of an investigation into the circulation of the video and efforts to identify those responsible. The case came to the attention of the Ajmer District Social Media Cell after the video surfaced online.
A joint team was formed under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Himanshu Jangid and Circle Officer (Dargah) Harshit Sharma, with Ganj Station House Officer Narendra Singh leading the operation.
Investigators examined social media accounts, Instagram IDs and mobile phone details linked to the suspects. Police said technical evidence, along with CCTV footage, helped them trace the accused to Machalpur in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh. A police team subsequently conducted a raid in the area and arrested three suspects.
The arrested men have been identified as Arjun (30), a resident of Gadiya Majara Khoyara; Dayaram (30), a resident of Kundi Beg; and Jujhar (25), also a resident of Kundi Beg, according to police.
Police said that during interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to recording the video near Ajaypal Kund and circulating it through their Instagram accounts.
The allegations are subject to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings. A case has been registered against the three accused under Case No. 246/26 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 75(2), 75(3), 77, 79, 296(b), 352 and 3(5).
The arrests come a day after Ajmer Police took action in a separate case involving the alleged harassment of a foreign tourist at a marble dumping yard in Kishangarh, in which four youths were arrested.
The successive investigations highlight the police’s focus on incidents involving the safety and privacy of tourists, including foreign visitors, in the Ajmer region.
Crime
16-day operation behind Lakshadweep drug haul, govt determined to shield youth from narcotics: Shah

New Delhi, Sep 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the seizure of more than 500 kg of drugs and the arrest of five Pakistani nationals in the Arabian Sea off Lakshadweep was the outcome of 16 days of effective coordination among Indian security agencies.
Reacting to the Indian Coast Guard’s interception of the vessel carrying drugs, Shah also said the Narendra Modi government was determined to protect the country’s youth from the scourge of drugs.
“Upholding a stellar example of coordination and cooperation among agencies, the 16-day-long operation also seized an Iranian boat,” Shah said in a post on X.
In a joint operation involving the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Indian Coast Guard and central intelligence agencies, 526 kg of methamphetamine and heroin were seized from an Iranian boat in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), he said.
The vessel was intercepted 160 nautical miles northwest of Lakshadweep and 490 nautical miles southwest of Mumbai. “Five Pakistani nationals have been arrested, with further investigation underway to identify the wider network and its intended receivers,” Shah said.
Pakistan’s role in narcotics smuggling once again came to light following the massive seizure in the Arabian Sea of Lakshadweep.
The seizure followed an extensive operation by the security agencies against suspected narcotics trafficking in the Arabian Sea. The operation highlights the role of coordinated surveillance and intelligence-sharing among agencies in tackling drug smuggling through India’s maritime routes.
The ICG intercepted a Pakistani vessel off the Lakshadweep coast in the Arabian Sea after a hot pursuit, seizing 526 kg of high-grade narcotics valued at over Rs 3,000 crore and apprehending five Pakistani nationals on September 25.
Acting on inputs regarding an illicit consignment traversing key maritime corridors, ICG established radar contact with the suspicious dhow west of the Lakshadweep archipelago before initiating a hot pursuit.
“Specialised boarding teams executed a high-seas tactical assault, securing the vessel and detaining all five crew members without incident,” the ICG said in an official statement.
A thorough search of the dhow yielded the illicit drugs, including high-grade heroin and methamphetamine.
The ICG officials said that the five Pakistani nationals were apprehended following a dramatic chase across international waters.
After sustained aerial and surface tracking, the Coast Guard units engaged in hot pursuit as the vessel attempted evasive manoeuvres. Specialised boarding teams executed a high-seas tactical assault, securing the vessel and detaining all five crew members without incident, the ICG said.
The Coast Guard reaffirmed its mission readiness, stating that Bharatiya Tatrakshak remains resolutely postured to secure national maritime frontiers, combat organised crime, and dismantle transnational cartels in support of the nationwide drug-free India campaign.
The apprehended vessel and the crew have been escorted to Mumbai harbour, where a multi-agency probe is underway. The agencies are now trying to map out the syndicate’s financial trail and domestic contribution networks.
The Narendra Modi government had launched a massive campaign against drugs with the promise that India would be drug-free. Home Minister Shah had recently said that in order to accomplish this mission, the agencies would work at the district level as well.
An official said that with major cities under the radar of the agencies, the Inter Services Intelligence-backed narcotics cartels had decided to move operations to smaller towns. The target is to break 100 major international and inter-state drug syndicates which have been indulging in narcotics smuggling in India.
Statistics show that between 2014 and 2026, over 1.18 crore kg valued at around Rs 1.84 lakh crore has been seized by the various agencies in the country.
This has been a result of close coordination between the state and central agencies. Further, the agencies have also been coordinating with their international counterparts to bring back drug lords and their cronies who are operating from across the borders.
Authorities said that between 2014 and 2026, 42.47 lakh kg of drugs valued at Rs 89,896 crore had been destroyed. Annual narcotics seizures reached an all-time high in 2024, when 1,330 to 1,691 tonnes were seized, marking a 55 per cent increase over 2023.
An Intelligence Bureau official said that the government has been working closely with other countries.
During all conversations that are held with international leaders, India has been clear on its commitment to dismantle the drug network.
“Further, destroying the narcotics cartels also deals a severe setback to the terror networks. The terror networks are completely reliant on the money earned through narcotics trade. Hence, dealing a blow to the narcotics cartels automatically becomes a setback for the ISI-controlled terror groups which look to hit India,” the official said.
Crime
Motorbike-borne duo snatches Rs 7 lakh gold chain in Patna; police examine CCTV trail to catch miscreants

Patna, Sep 30: A motorbike-borne man and woman allegedly snatched a gold chain worth around Rs 7 lakh from a person outside his residence in Patna’s Kurji area on Wednesday morning, prompting police to launch an investigation.
The incident took place under the jurisdiction of Digha police station at around 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
According to the victim, he was standing outside his house when the duo approached him on a motorcycle and allegedly snatched the chain from his neck before fleeing.
Following the incident, Digha Station House Officer Avnish Kumar reached the spot and spoke to the victim.
Digha Police are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the suspects and establish the route they took while escaping.
The police are also gathering other details related to the incident and are expected to take further action after receiving the victim’s formal complaint. Once the complaint is filed, Patna police will register an FIR under relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sahita against two unknown individuals.
Digha SHO Avnish Kumar clarified that reports claiming the chain was snatched at gunpoint were incorrect.
He said the matter was under investigation and that an FIR would be registered on the basis of the victim’s complaint.
The incident comes days after Kankarbagh police arrested seven people allegedly linked to chain-snatching cases.
Among those arrested was a pair reportedly referred to as ‘Bunty-Babli’ by police.
However, police have not established any connection between the suspects arrested in Kankarbagh and the Kurji chain-snatching case.
Investigators are currently focussing on the CCTV footage and other available evidence to identify the man and woman allegedly involved in Wednesday’s incident.
The latest case has renewed concerns among residents over incidents of chain snatching and other street crimes involving motorcycle-borne suspects in different parts of Patna.
In recent months, incidents of chain-snatching and other street crimes have been reported frequently in Patna. The alleged involvement of women as pillion riders in such crimes has emerged as a particular concern for the police.
According to police officials, women riding as pillion passengers may attract less suspicion than two men travelling together on a motorcycle, which can make it more difficult for police to identify suspects during such incidents.
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