Crime
Mumbai: Seven families duped of Rs 68.5 Lakh in govt job scam; cops launch hunt
Mumbai, July 31: Seven families were cheated of Rs 68.50 lakh on the promise of securing government jobs for their children, with the accused claiming to have influential contacts in the Maharashtra Mantralaya (State Secretariat). The Azad Maidan Police have registered a fraud case and launched a search for the accused.
According to Mumbai Police, a major fraud involving the collection of lakhs of rupees from multiple families under the pretext of providing government employment has come to light in the city. Acting on complaints filed by the victims, the Azad Maidan Police have booked two accused persons for cheating and criminal breach of trust.
Among the victims is a retired Sister-in-Charge from GT Hospital. Police said the accused collectively swindled Rs 68.50 lakh from seven families over several years by promising government jobs.
Investigators revealed that the scam dates back to 2014. The complainant was searching for employment opportunities for her son when Suryakant Nivrutti Magre, a neighbour and colleague residing in the GT Hospital staff quarters, approached her with an offer. Magre allegedly claimed that his relative, Yogesh Jagannath Patankar, worked at the Mantralaya and had considerable influence in securing government appointments.
The accused promised to obtain a Senior Clerk position in a government department for the complainant’s son and demanded Rs 5 lakh in return. Trusting Magre because of their professional and personal association, the complainant paid the amount in instalments between April and December 2014. Police said she even mortgaged her jewellery to arrange the money.
After receiving the payment, the accused allegedly continued delaying the appointment process. On December 10, 2019, the complainant’s son was sent to a Primary Health Centre in Khalapur for what was described as a mandatory medical examination. Upon reaching the centre, the family discovered that several other candidates and their parents had also been called for similar tests.
However, no appointment letters were issued. The accused allegedly continued making excuses, citing administrative delays and later the COVID-19 pandemic. As years passed without any progress, the victims realised they had been cheated.
Further investigation revealed that six other families had fallen victim to the same scheme, resulting in a total loss of Rs 68.50 lakh. The Azad Maidan Police have recorded statements from the victims and intensified efforts to trace and arrest the accused.
Crime
CISF seizes foreign currency worth Rs 1.13 crore at Kolkata airport

Alert personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) detected foreign currency worth approximately Rs 1.14 crore concealed in the hand baggage of two passengers bound for Bangkok at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata.
The detection took place around 10:20 a.m. on October 19 during routine security screening at the International Terminal Security Hold Area. A CISF screener noticed suspicious images in the X-ray scans of the hand baggage carried by the two passengers scheduled to travel to Bangkok on Bhutan Airlines flight B3700. The bags were subsequently referred for physical examination.
During the inspection, CISF personnel recovered USD 1,19,900, equivalent to approximately Rs 1,13,64,002, concealed inside false bottoms of the two bags. The foreign currency had been wrapped in newspaper in an apparent attempt to conceal it from security personnel.
Of the total amount recovered, USD 74,900 was found in the hand baggage of one passenger, while USD 45,000 was recovered from the other passenger’s bag.
Following the prescribed formalities, both passengers, along with the seized currency, were handed over to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs for further investigation and necessary legal action.
On October 20, the passenger from whose baggage USD 74,900 was recovered was taken by AIU/Customs officials to the District and Sessions Court for further legal proceedings following the investigation and seizure. The second passenger was released by Customs after the issuance of a detention receipt for the USD 45,000 recovered from the passenger’s baggage.
CISF in a release reiterated its commitment to maintaining aviation security through effective screening procedures, alert surveillance and professional conduct by its personnel. According to officials, the detection stresses the importance of coordinated action between airport security personnel and Customs authorities in addressing suspected financial and currency-related violations.
Crime
Gujarat: Man held after 0.77 grams of mephedrone found in ‘porter’ delivery parcel

A 27-year-old businessman was arrested by Naroda police after 0.77 grams of suspected mephedrone, valued at Rs 1,540, was found in a parcel being delivered through the Porter application near Nana Chiloda Circle in Ahmedabad, police said on Wednesday.
The case came to light after police received a control-room message about a suspicious parcel that had arrived for delivery through the application.
The substance was examined preliminarily by a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) officer in the presence of panch witnesses and was found to be mephedrone, a synthetic drug.
Police seized the substance and initially registered an offence against three unidentified mobile phone holders under Sections 8(c), 22(a) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
During the investigation, they traced and arrested the man suspected of ordering the consignment through the parcel.
The accused was identified as Priyang Sanghvi (27). He is a businessman who lives in Aram Park Flats in the Sabarmati area of the city. He is originally from Shirodi village in Rajasthan’s Sirohi district.
According to the police, the suspected method involved using a mobile phone number belonging to a witness to log in to the Porter application.
Drug consignments were allegedly packed separately in zipper bags and sent through the delivery service. An intermediary was allegedly used to distribute the drugs to different customers for sale.
The police said the arrest followed instructions from senior officers to curb the illegal sale and transportation of narcotic substances and detect offences related to them.
“The operation was conducted by Naroda police personnel under the supervision of Senior Police Inspector B M Katariya,” officials said.
The police seized 0.77 grams of mephedrone, valued at Rs 1,540. The investigation concerns the alleged use of a parcel delivery application to transport the substance and its subsequent distribution through an intermediary.
Crime
Bihar: 75-year-old man stabbed to death; woman and her son injured

A 75-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death, while a woman and her 25-year-old son were injured in a violent clash between neighbours at Rohda Kala village under Barharia police station limits in Bihar’s Siwan district on Wednesday.
The deceased was identified as Rama Nandan Prasad, son of the late Garib Bhagat.
The injured were identified as Baby Devi, 44, and her son Kishan Kumar, 25.
The injured were taken to the Barharia Community Health Centre for treatment. While Kishan received primary medical care, Baby Devi was referred to Siwan Sadar Hospital due to her critical condition.
According to Kishan Kumar, his grandfather was sitting outside the house drinking tea while his mother was cooking, and he was asleep.
Hearing a commotion, he went outside and found his grandfather lying in a pool of blood.
He then heard his mother crying from inside the house and rushed in, where he allegedly saw neighbours attacking her with knives. When he tried to intervene, he was also injured in the attack.
Kishan claimed that he had no prior dispute with the neighbours and said the reason for the attack was unclear.
With the help of residents, two alleged assailants were apprehended and handed over to the police.
After receiving information, the Barharia police reached the village and launched an investigation.
A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team was also called to collect evidence from the scene.
The police have set up a camp in the village amid tension following the incident.
Barharia Station House Officer Chhotan Kumar said a patrolling officer was initially sent to the spot, after which he reached the village to investigate the incident.
He said an FIR has been registered against the named accused based on Kishan Kumar’s statement.
The two detained suspects are being questioned, while the motive behind the incident remains unclear.
Police said further action would be taken based on the investigation.
-
Crime4 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra2 years agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News2 years agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News2 years agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime2 years agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
