Mumbai: In a major breakthrough, the Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested two brothers from Telangana’s Asifabad district for allegedly stealing a INSAS rifle and ammunition from Navy Nagar, a highly sensitive defence area in the city.

The accused have been identified as Rakesh Dubla and Umesh Dubla, both hailing from the same village. Notably, one of the accused is an Agniveer (a soldier serving under the Agnipath scheme). Police have seized the stolen INSAS rifle and cartridges from their possession.

Both accused were hiding in the Naxalite area. Yesterday, around 9 pm, the Mumbai Crime Branch entered the Naxalite jungle as per Telangana SP’s guidelines to nab the duo.

According to investigators, on the night of September 6, one of the accused, dressed in a Navy uniform, gained entry into Navy Nagar. He approached a naval personnel on duty, claiming he had come to relieve him from his shift. Trusting him, the on-duty employee handed over his service INSAS rifle and ammunition. The accused then discarded them outside the compound, where his brother was waiting to collect the weapons.

After securing the INSAS rifle and cartridges, both fled to Telangana. Following a swift investigation and technical surveillance, the Crime Branch traced and apprehended them. The duo are now being brought to Mumbai on transit remand for further interrogation. Police are investigating how the accused managed to obtain the Navy uniform and whether there was any larger conspiracy behind the theft.

Ahead of the most-awaited BMC elections, the Mumbai BJP has organised a massive convention on Tuesday, September 16, where the party will launch a platform for citizens to register their demands and suggestions. “An exclusive website will be launched in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for Mumbaikars to register their issues and expectations from us, which will be included in the party manifesto for the BMC election,” said BJP Mumbai President Ameet Satam.

“The BJP karyakars will visit door to door and urge Mumbaikars to register their demands to be included in the poll manifesto. We want to give Mumbaikars a safe city and stop illegal migrants. In the last 11 years under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, Mumbai has seen massive infrastructural development like the Coastal Road, Atal Setu and Metro, as well as an enhancement in the CCTV surveillance. Safety, security and infrastructure development are our top agenda for Mumbai,” Satam added.

In a major re-shuffle ahead of BMC elections, a three-time MLA from Andheri West and an ‘Outstanding Parliamentarian’ awardee by the President of India, was appointed as Mumbai BJP chief on August 25.

The convention on September 16 will be held in the NSCI dome, Worli and around 10,000 BJP karyakartas will be present along with CM Devendra Fadnavis and senior BJP leaders, prominently from Mumbai.

Meanwhile, in June, the BJP had declared its steering committee for BMC elections consisting of 27 members, including current and former MPs, MLAs, former corporators and Yuva morcha leaders. It is tasked to conduct a comprehensive ward-wise review and was expected to submit detailed reports to the party’s Mumbai President. “The key job of the committee is to spearhead the BJP’s election strategy. However, the said report is yet to be submitted,” said a BJP office-bearer.

A total of 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the BMC, will go for polls post-Diwali. In Mumbai, the electoral ward remains 227, similar to the last BMC elections held in February 2017. The nine-step process of ward demarcation is in process, and the BMC will notify the final ward demarcation between October 3 to 6.

Mumbai: The Mumbai Airport Customs officers in two separate cases have seized over 13 kg of smuggled drugs having illicit market value of approx Rs 13.83 crores. Two passengers have been arrested by the Customs for smuggling contraband.

According to the agency sources, on the basis of profiling, the Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) Mumbai, intercepted one passenger who had arrived from Bangkok on Monday.

“During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 11.83 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana), with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 11.83 crores. The narcotic substance was cleverly concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the passenger,” said a Customs officer. The said passenger was then arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

In another case, on the basis of specific intelligence, the Customs officers at CSMIA Mumbai intercepted and arrested one passenger who had arrived from Bangkok on Sunday. During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 2 kg of suspected hydroponic weed with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 2 crores. The narcotic substance was cleverly concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the passeng