Mumbai: A massive investment scam by the foreign-based Torres Jewelry company has left over 1.25 lakh investors defrauded of ₹1,000 crore. The company, which promised high returns on jewelry and diamond investments, has collapsed, with its directors shifting the blame to Indian executives. The Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) has taken over the investigation, and an FIR under the Maharashtra Protection of Depositors Act and various BNS sections has been registered.

Three individuals—Sarvesh Ashok Surve, Tanya Casatova, and Valentina Kumar—have been arrested, while the alleged masterminds, Ukrainian nationals John Carter and Victoria Kowalenko, fled the country. Lookout Circulars (LOCs) have been issued for their arrest. Torres Company launched operations in Mumbai in February 2024, opening a flagship showroom in Dadar and branches in Navi Mumbai, Kalyan, Borivali, and Mira Road. The company offered an alluring investment plan.

Investors purchased jewelry or moissanite diamonds and received official receipts. A digital account and unique customer ID were created for each investor. A weekly return of 6% was promised, amounting to triple the investment value over 52 weeks.

Sarvesh Surve, a local resident with no prior business credentials, was appointed as the director to provide a local face to the foreign venture. Surve’s digital signatures were used for all official documents, while John Carter and Victoria Kowalenko controlled operations from the shadows. Tanya Casatova, an Uzbek national, managed stores, and Valentina Kumar, a Russian citizen married to an Indian, oversaw retail operations.

Police sources revealed that Surve was unaware of the larger conspiracy, making him a convenient scapegoat. Before fulfilling the promised 52-week term, Torres stopped payments in December 2024, citing technical issues. On January 1, 2025, the company abruptly shut down its showrooms.

When irate investors gathered outside the Dadar office on January 6, Tanya and Valentina were confronted and detained by Shivaji Park police. Surve was also arrested. Preliminary investigations estimate that over 1.25 lakh investors were defrauded, based on the highest customer ID numbers issued. The total fraud amount could exceed ₹1,000 crore. Police stations in Shivaji Park, APMC (Navi Mumbai), and Mira Road witnessed long queues of investors filing complaints, with many FIRs registered in just two days.

Authorities are now coordinating with international agencies to apprehend Carter and Kowalenko. Meanwhile, the EOW has urged investors to file complaints to strengthen the case.

Mumbai, Jan 7: The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has decided to make toll payments through FASTag mandatory at all toll plazas across the state starting April 1, 2025. Vehicle users will be required to use FASTag exclusively for toll payments.

Light motor vehicles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers are already exempted from toll payments at Mumbai’s five entry points. However, the new decision will apply to toll plazas located on state highways and roads developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

The Cabinet emphasized that toll payments via FASTag will enhance consistency and transparency in toll collection. It is expected to reduce vehicle delays at toll gates, saving both time and fuel.

As per the government statement, vehicles entering FASTag lanes without an active FASTag or attempting to pay through other means will be charged double the toll amount.

Currently, toll collection is in place on 13 road projects under the Public Works Department and nine under the MSRDC. The new rule will apply to these projects as well as any future toll-collection initiatives.

In another key decision, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Policy of 2014 to streamline administrative processes. The revised policy aims to make governance more efficient and dynamic.

The Cabinet also approved the publication of updated Maharashtra Government Rules of Procedure, marking the third revision since their inception in 1975. These updates, to be published in the Government Gazette upon the Governor’s approval, are designed to enhance administrative transparency, efficiency, and public orientation.

The revised Rules of Procedure consist of 48 rules, 4 schedules, and 1 annexure, divided into nine parts.

The First Schedule contains the names of the administrative departments of the Ministry. The Second Schedule contains matters to be presented before the Cabinet. The Third Schedule is about matters requiring the Chief Minister’s approval and the Fourth Schedule contains matters requiring the Governor’s approval.

The annexure outlines the procedures for the Council of Ministers and Cabinet, as well as simplified protocols for introducing bills. Provisions have also been made to delegate government orders to the level of Under Secretary.

The updates include newly added tasks for the Planning Department and relaxation in procedural formalities to expedite governance.

A study group of departmental secretaries, formed for periodic rule revisions, conducted a comparative analysis of practices in other states and the Government of India to recommend these amendments.

The Maharashtra government anticipates that these decisions will foster a more transparent and citizen-centric administration while ensuring efficiency in toll collection and governance.

Mumbai, Jan 7: Two cases of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) were detected in Maharashtra’s Nagpur on Tuesday, said officials here, adding that both are children and their condition was stable.

The two girls, aged 13 and 7, had shown the symptoms. According to the state public health department sources, after two days of continuous fever, these girls undertook tests in a private lab and tested positive. They were treated at home and their condition was stable.

Taking serious note, the state government has established a Task Force headed by the JJ Hospital Dean Dr Pallavi Saple to craft standard operating procedure (SOP) and decide on future course of action.

“Both these girls had cough and fever, their samples have been sent to NIV as they had slightly different symptoms. Both the children did not need to be admitted to the hospital and both the patients have recovered,” said sources.

“Parents don’t need to worry, this virus is not like Corona. It is mild,” said Superintendent of Government Medical and Hospital in Nagpur Dr Avinash Gawande. However, he suggested that children should wear masks.

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar called an urgent meeting of the department regarding the HMPV virus. It is reported that Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav will also be present in this meeting. The minister has urged the people not to panic.

The medical education commissioner, Rajiv Nivatkar, held a virtual meeting with the Deans of government medical colleges to review their preparedness to tackle HMPV patients and briefed them about the measures to be taken.

The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has gone into an alert mode as special wards have been set up to treat HMPV patients.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said, “There is no reason to fear the HMPV virus. According to preliminary information, this virus is not new, this virus was prevalent earlier also. It seems that this virus is making a comeback once again. The regulations in this regard will be announced. The Union Health Ministry has decided to inform the states. Do not give fictitious information in this regard. Only the official information that comes should be given.”

The state health department has issued an advisory asking the district administration to keep a close vigil while stepping up surveillance of patients with cold and cough.

The Health Department Director Dr Nitin Ambadekar said, ‘Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) causes respiratory infections. This virus was first detected in the Netherlands in 2001. It is a common respiratory virus that causes infections in the upper respiratory tract. It is a seasonal epidemic and occurs in winter and early summer, like the flu. With the increased risk of HMPV, the Health Department has analyzed the respiratory infection statistics in the state. There was no increase in respiratory infections in the state in December 2024 compared to 2023. As a precautionary measure, the Health Department has said that citizens should take precautions to protect themselves from respiratory infections, he said. The department has also released dos and don’ts to be followed by the citizens.”