Mumbai, Feb 13: Diamond-studded gold ornaments worth Rs 57.24 lakh were allegedly misappropriated from a jewellery shop in Malad East, prompting the Dindoshi Police to register an FIR against a 42-year-old jeweller for cheating and criminal breach of trust.

Business dealings and trust

Complainant Jitendra Chhajed, 44, who runs Padmaprabhu Diamonds, told police he regularly supplies jewellery to traders on credit. Vijaykumar Bafna, who operates Vinod Jewellers in the same area, had earlier conducted transactions honestly, gaining Chhajed’s confidence.

Ornaments taken on pretext

On April 27, 2024, Bafna allegedly took several diamond-studded ornaments, claiming he needed to show them to a customer. After signing a receipt, he left with five necklace-earring sets, four necklaces and six bangles weighing 376.290 grams of 18-carat jewellery.

FIR registered

Police said Bafna neither returned the ornaments nor paid the amount, offering repeated excuses. A case was registered on February 12 under relevant Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions.

Mumbai: The sudden decision to shut down City International School in Jogeshwari West has triggered anxiety among parents of more than 600 students, even as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) intervened and warned the management against closing the institution.

The English-medium school, located in the Oshiwara area, has been operating for nearly 25 years. However, the management recently issued a notice to parents stating that the school would be closed, reportedly due to a steep hike in rent demanded by the landlord.

The landlord has sought a payment of ₹50 lakh for the premises, where the school was earlier paying a monthly rent of around ₹35 lakh reported Media. Citing its inability to bear the increased financial burden, the school administration decided to shut operations.

The announcement has caused confusion and fear among parents, as the admission process for the upcoming academic year is already underway. Many families are now worried about their children’s future, as they may have to seek new schools at short notice.

Following complaints from parents, MNS Versova Assembly Division president Sandesh Desai visited the school premises and held discussions with the management. Desai warned that the party would not allow the school to shut down abruptly, especially if it results in academic loss for the students.

Desai stated that the party would launch a strong agitation if the management proceeds with the closure at the cost of the students. A delegation from the MNS met the school authorities on Friday to discuss the issue and seek clarity on the decision.

Meanwhile, parents have demanded immediate intervention from the education department. They have urged authorities to take cognisance of the situation and ensure that the students do not suffer due to the dispute between the landlord and the school management.

With the academic year approaching, parents are hoping for a quick resolution, while political intervention has added pressure on the management to reconsider its decision or provide a proper transition plan for the affected students.

Navi Mumbai, Feb 13: In a move to dismantle the drug network in the city, the Navi Mumbai Police have stepped up their efforts by announcing the establishment of an Anti-Narcotics Task Cell (ANTC) at every police station level. The initiative aims to intensify and streamline anti-drug operations, ensuring swift and effective action against drug mafias at the local level.

Instead of relying solely on the central Anti-Narcotics Cell, the police have decided to empower local units to combat the growing menace of narcotics.

The ANTC at each police station will focus on gathering intelligence about individuals involved in the sale and storage of drugs, conducting immediate raids without waiting for orders from senior offices once credible information is received, strengthening investigations with technical and legal backing, and maintaining a proper legal chain of custody of seized contraband to ensure successful prosecution of offenders.

The cell at each police station will function under the guidance of the Senior Police Inspector, while the Police Inspector (Crime) will hold direct responsibility for its operations. The teams will work in close coordination with the central Anti-Narcotics Cell.

Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe said, “Making Navi Mumbai drug-free is our top priority. Through the Anti-Narcotics Task Cell, we have expanded our policing network. Now, every police station will have a dedicated team working exclusively against narcotics. Citizens should not hesitate to inform the police if they notice any suspicious or illegal activities in their area. The identity of informants will be kept confidential.”

The training for the functioning of ANTC for the staff of police stations has been done, the Commissioner said.