National News
Mumbaikars! The Iconic Flower Festival Is Almost Here At Byculla Zoo, Get Ready To Immerse Yourself in Colours
Mumbai: As Mumbai prepares to welcome early signs of spring, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Tree Authority are set to host the Mumbai Flower Show 2026, a three-day floral celebration at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo (Byculla Zoo) from February 6 to 8.
The flower show promises to turn the historic botanical garden into a vibrant canvas of colours, fragrances and greenery. Entry to the festival is free, making it easily accessible for families, students, senior citizens and nature lovers across the city.
The exhibition will feature around 5,000 plants, including a wide variety of flowering plants, fruit-bearing trees and medicinal species. One of the key attractions this year will be the display of 13 national symbols recreated through floral arrangements, adding both visual appeal and educational value to the event.
Adding to the experience, stalls offering gardening tools, plants, fertilisers and related supplies will be set up, catering to gardening enthusiasts as well as those looking to begin their green journey. For citizens interested in hands-on learning, gardening workshops will be conducted on all three days, with a participation fee of Rs 1,000.
The arrangements for the flower show are being overseen by Deputy Commissioner (Parks) Chanda Jadhav and Parks Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi, ensuring smooth coordination and upkeep throughout the event.
With Mumbai slowly transitioning into warmer days, the flower show offers a calm, nature-filled retreat right in the heart of the city. The BMC has invited Mumbaikars to step into this floral haven, unwind amid lush surroundings, and reconnect with nature during the three-day celebration.
The flower festival has, over the years, grown into a much-awaited annual event for the city. Last year’s edition saw large crowds at the Byculla zoo, with visitors drawn to colourful floral installations and creative displays themed around India’s national symbols. The vibrant arrangements and lush settings had turned the botanical garden into a visual treat, making the festival a popular weekend outing for families and nature enthusiasts alike.
Crime
Mumbai Crime: Undertrial Prisoner Assaults Policeman Inside Arthur Road Jail, Case Registered

Mumbai: A shocking incident has come to light from Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail, where an undertrial prisoner allegedly assaulted a police constable on duty.
The accused, Lokendra Uday Singh Rawat (35), is reported to have headbutted Police Constable Hani Baburao Wagh (30), causing injuries to his nose, and also abused and pushed other on-duty police personnel. A case has been registered in this connection at the N. M. Joshi Marg police station.
According to the FIR, the complainant, Police Constable Wagh, is attached to Armed Police Division–2, Tardeo. On January 27, he reported for his 24-hour day-duty shift at Arthur Road Jail at around 8 am and was assigned security duty at the main entrance of the prison.
At around 9 pm, Armed Police Constables Suresh Sandu Mali and Sachin Chavan brought undertrial Lokendra Rawat back to the jail after producing him before the Dindoshi Court. Rawat allegedly appeared agitated and, after entering the jail premises, sat near the gate and began verbally abusing the police personnel on duty.
Constable Wagh asked Rawat to calm down and refrain from using abusive language. However, Rawat allegedly became more aggressive and continued shouting abuses. When Wagh approached him again to pacify the situation, Rawat suddenly headbutted him on the nose with force.
As a result, Constable Wagh sustained injuries and started bleeding. Fellow constables Sachin Chavan and Suresh Mali immediately intervened, restrained the accused, and informed the on-duty prison authorities about the incident. Rawat was subsequently sent for medical examination to Sir J.J. Hospital.
After receiving medical treatment, the injured constable lodged a formal complaint on January 28 at the N. M. Joshi Marg police station. Based on the complaint, police have registered a case against the undertrial under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is ongoing.
Business
JCRA assigns landmark ratings to Adani Ports, Adani Green and Adani Energy Solutions

Ahmedabad, Jan 30: In a significant milestone for the Adani Group’s global credit journey, Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCRA) has initiated ratings of three Portfolio companies — Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ), Adani Green Energy Ltd. (AGEL) and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. (AESL) — assigning long-term foreign currency credit ratings with a ‘Stable’ outlook to all three companies, it was announced on Friday.
Japan’s leading rating agency assigned Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) a A- (Stable) rating, representing a rare breach of the sovereign threshold by an Indian corporate by an international rating agency.
Moreover, Adani Green Energy Ltd. (AGEL) and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. (AESL) have each been rated BBB+ (Stable). These ratings are at par with India’s sovereign rating of BBB+.
“These landmark ratings reflect the Adani Group’s commitment to disciplined financial management, strengthening balance sheet fundamentals, and world-class execution across our diversified infrastructure platform,” said Jugeshinder Singh, Group CFO, Adani Group.
“They reaffirm the depth and resilience of our business model and reflect the confidence global lenders, institutional investors, and capital markets place in our long-term strategy. This endorsement further strengthens our position as a leading partner in India’s infrastructure buildout and reinforces our commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality growth,” Singh added.
Adani Ports’ strong rating underlines its strong credit profile, diversified asset base, and resilient cash-flow generation, and places it among a select group of Indian infrastructure companies to achieve an above-sovereign rating from a leading international rating agency.
The ratings also mark one of the first instances of Indian infrastructure platforms being assessed by JCRA at these levels, highlighting the Adani Group’s growing engagement with global rating agencies and its increasing alignment with international credit benchmarks.
APSEZ’s creditworthiness is at par with its subsidiary group, said the ratings agency, citing its superior infrastructure capabilities, consistently strong profitability, stable long-term cash flows, and prudent financial management — positioning the company above India’s sovereign foreign-currency rating, though capped by the country ceiling.
It continues to reinforce its leadership through a diversified portfolio of 15 domestic and 4 international ports, handling nearly 30 per cent of India’s cargo and 50 per cent of container volumes, supported by a comprehensive four-segment integrated logistics platform spanning ports, SEZs, logistics, and marine services.
Adani Ports delivered rapid EBITDA expansion — from Rs 7,566 crore in FY20 to Rs 19,025 crore in FY25, and Rs 11,046 crore in H1 FY26 — while maintaining a conservative 1.8x net-debt-to-EBITDA, long-tenor funding structure, and strong liquidity position.
On the other hand, AESL continues to strengthen India’s energy backbone through rapid expansion in transmission, distribution, smart metering, and cooling solutions — backed by stable, regulated cash flows and strong governance that support its consolidated credit profile, said the ratings agency.
“With a fast-growing network of 26,705 ckm of transmission lines, 97,236 MVA capacity, award-winning distribution reliability, and a rapidly expanding 7.37 million-meter smart metering portfolio, AESL is delivering far superior growth to the sector and redefining benchmarks in efficiency, customer service, and operational performance,” it noted.
With over 16.7 GW of operational capacity as of September 2025 and more than 90 per cent of EBITDA generated from renewables, AGEL has rapidly expanded from just 2.5 GW in FY20 — supported by best-in-class development, superior plant load factors, cost efficiency, and advanced ENOC-driven operations.
“EBITDA growth from Rs 1,855 crore (FY20) to Rs 10,532 crore (FY25) and Rs 6,324 crore in H1 FY26, coupled with improved equity levels, diversified global funding access, and extended 9.4-year average debt maturity, positions AGEL to sustain its ambitious growth pipeline while maintaining financial stability,” said JCRA.
Crime
Mumbai Crime: 50-Year-Old Taxi Driver Arrested For Cheating American National Of ₹18,000 For 400-Metre Ride Near Airport

Mumbai: The Sahar Police on January 28 arrested a taxi driver for allegedly defrauding an American national of Rs 18,000 for a taxi ride of just 400 metres.
The accused has been identified as Yashraj Yadav alias Papuu (50). The police have seized the vehicle, and the accused is currently in judicial custody. Two accused were involved in the crime. One is Yadav, while his associate, Taufiq Shaikh, is absconding.
The case came to light after a social media post by the American national, Argentina Ariano, went viral. In her post, she alleged that she was scammed by a taxi driver shortly after arriving in Mumbai.
According to the police, the victim had arrived in India for work. The incident took place on January 12 at around midnight after she landed at the Mumbai International Airport.
She alleged that the taxi driver charged her Rs 18,000 for a trip to a hotel located barely 400 metres away. Yadav allegedly took the woman on a 20-minute drive in Andheri (East), returned to the same locality, dropped her at the hotel and collected the fare.
Nearly 15 days later, on January 26, she posted about the incident on social media. In her post, she wrote: “Landed in Mumbai recently, took a taxi to the Hilton Hotel. The driver and another man first took us to an unknown location, charged us $200 (Rs 18,000), and then dropped us at the hotel, which was only 400 metres away. Taxi No: MH 01 BD 5405.” She tagged Mumbai Police and the Traffic Police and used the hashtag #scam.
Responding to the post, Mumbai Police replied, “We have followed you. Please share your contact details in DM.” Following this, the Sahar Police initiated an inquiry.
During the investigation, police found that there are three Hilton hotels near the airport and identified the exact hotel where the American national had stayed. However, within 12 to 13 hours of the incident, she had checked out of the hotel and left the country. She checked out the next day and went to Pune, from where, after completing her tour, she returned to the US.
Manoj Chalake, Senior Police Inspector of Sahar Police Station, said, “We are trying to get the victim’s statement via video call or email. She did not inform the hotel staff about the incident. We have repeatedly informed people to communicate with the hotel or the local authority if a tourist suspects that a cabbie is fleecing them.”
The police contacted her and requested her to file a formal complaint. Although she responded with “Okay”, she did not lodge any complaint.
The Sahar Police then registered a suo motu case on January 28 against an unknown taxi driver under Sections 318(4) (cheating) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched a search operation.
Using the taxi number mentioned in the post, police traced the accused, Yadav, who resides in Sahar Village and is a permit taxi driver. The vehicle, a white Toyota Etios, has been seized. The vehicle is registered under the S.M.S. Tours and Travels company. Police said they would send his details to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for cancellation of his licence.
A police officer said two persons were involved in the crime — Yadav and his associate, Taufiq Shaikh, around 50 years old. Yadav allegedly negotiated the fare with the foreign national and then called Shaikh, who arrived with the car. Both allegedly cheated the tourist.
Shaikh later took the money from Yadav and fled to Uttar Pradesh. Police records show that several cheating cases have been registered against Shaikh at various police stations. Yadav, however, has no prior criminal record.
Manoj Chalake added, “We have seized the car. The cash could not be recovered as the other accused took the money and fled. We are searching for him. We will soon call the company owner for a statement.”
He further said that the police do not have much information about the foreign national, as she has not provided details about the purpose of her visit or other relevant information.
The Metropolitan Magistrate Court initially remanded Yadav to one day of police custody and later sent him to judicial custody.
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