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‘Never visualized’, SC hints at CAG probe in fake Covid death claims

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The Supreme Court on Monday reiterated its concern regarding fake claims for Covid death compensation, and added it may direct a probe by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in this matter.

The top court suggested that inquiry into alleged fake death claims could be entrusted to the Auditor general office.

A bench comprising Justices M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna said: “We never visualized that this kind of fake claims could come. It’s a pious world. We never thought this scheme could be misused”.

The bench added that if some officers are also involved in it, then it is “very serious”. Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal pointed out at the Section 52 in the Disaster Management Act, which addresses such concerns. Justice Shah said: “we need somebody to file a complaint”.

A counsel suggested to do random examination of the compensation claims by the state legal services authorities. On the aspect of compensation to children, the top court clarified that ex gratia payment of Rs 50,000, ordered by it, is to be paid for each death due to Covid-19 and not to each child of the affected family.

On March 7, the Supreme Court expressed concern at doctors issuing fake medical certificates to people for claiming ex-gratia compensation for Covid deaths, and added that it might order a probe into the matter.

The Centre had submitted that an outer-limit may be fixed for submitting Covid death related claims, otherwise the process will become endless, and added that some state governments have come across fake medical certificates issued by doctors. Mehta also pointed out that the apex court’s order on ex-gratia compensation, through a doctor’s certificate, has been misused in certain cases.

Expressing concern on fake medical certificates, the bench said: “What is worrying is the fake certificate given by doctors… “. The bench added, “it is a very serious thing”.

The top court also agreed with Mehta’s submissions that there should be a time limit for registering Covid death claims. The bench said: “There must be some time-limit, otherwise the process will go endlessly….”.

The top court is hearing a plea filed by advocate Gaurav Bansal in connection with the disbursal of ex-gratia compensation by state governments to the families of Covid victims. The top court is monitoring the disbursal of Rs 50,000 ex-gratia for Covid-19 deaths by various state governments.

Crime

Mumbai Crime News: Three Zaveri Bazaar Traders Booked For Allegedly Defrauding Investors In Gold Trading Scam

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Mumbai: Three traders from Zaveri Bazaar are alleged to have defrauded many individuals by guaranteeing substantial returns on their investments in the gold industry. They reportedly put in around Rs 44 crore into Dabba Trading, which included 36 kg of gold and nearly Rs 10 crore in cash.

When encountering losses, the traders stated that the business was struggling. A report was lodged at Lokmanya Tilak Marg police station regarding these traders. A trader located in the western suburbs with a shop in Zaveri Bazaar knew Ladulal, Pallav, and Shubham, who were recognized in the neighborhood for their business activities.

They persuaded the trader to invest, guaranteeing profitable returns via various business strategies, initially drawing in approximately Rs 2 crore in capital. A profitable return enhanced the trader’s confidence, prompting further investments of 36 kg of gold and Rs 10 crore.

When returns stopped, the trader looked for reasons, and although he received cheques from multiple accounts, none were dishonoured. Following the inquiry, it became evident that the three individuals had incurred losses of Rs 44 crore in dabba trading, leading the trader to complain.

Dabba trading is an unlawful activity conducted outside the stock exchange, without proper registration and regulation, resulting in significant losses for investors and tax evasion for the government, while misleadingly asserting greater returns than legitimate stock market investments.

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Crime

Mumbai Customs Seizes ₹3.72 Crore Gold Dust, Hydroponic Weed In Two Separate Cases At CSMI Airport

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Mumbai: During the duty of 07.08.2025, the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone-III, made a significant seizure of contrabands at the CSMI airport. The operation resulted in the seizure of 0.947 Kg of suspected Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana) valued at approximately ₹0.94 crores, gold dust weighing 3.02Kg valued at Rs. 2.78 crores, across 02 cases.

02 persons were arrested.

Highlights of the cases:

Case 1: (07.08.2025)

24 Kt gold dust in wax (06 pcs) having net weight 3020 grams valued at Rs. 2.78 crores was recovered from an airlines staff. The gold was found concealed inside innerwear in specially designed belt. The airlines staff was arrested under the provisions of Customs Act, 1962.

Case 2: (07.08.2025)

A passenger who had arrived from Bangkok to Mumbai was intercepted and the contraband i.e. 947 grams Approximately valued at Rs.0.94 crore of greenish coloured in lumps form purported to be Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana) was recovered. The said recovered contraband was concealed in vacuum sealed plastic packets kept inside trolley bag carried by the passenger. 01 person was arrested under the provision of NDPS Act, 1985.

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Crime

Thane: 55-Year-Old Man Attempts Suicide After Mumbai Police Arrive To Arrest Him For Sexually Assaulting Minor Girl In Badlapur

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Thane: A 55-year-old man allegedly attempted suicide after a Mumbai Police team arrived at his residence in Badlapur, Thane, on Tuesday night to arrest him for the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl. The girl is the daughter of a bedridden man whom the accused had been hired to care for.

A police officer investigating the sexual assault case said on Thursday, “The man was immediately rushed to the nearby private hospital, where he lay unconscious for almost 36 hours, and currently his condition is stable.

According to the police complaint, the minor girl’s father suffered a paralytic attack last year. The accused was hired in May to care for him from 8 am to 8 pm. During this time, the man allegedly began sexually assaulting the minor and made obscene remarks after her mother left for work.

Despite being warned by the girl’s mother, the man continued to harass her. On July 28, he allegedly entered her bedroom and harassed her again, prompting the girl and her mother to approach the police.

On Tuesday, the police traced the accused’s location to Badlapur, prompting a team consisting of two assistant police inspectors and three to four constables to reach the spot. Around 10 PM, the man locked himself inside his house and began threatening to end his life. Despite the police’s efforts to calm him down, he allegedly attempted suicide. Officers then broke open the door and rushed him to the hospital, said an officer involved in the investigation.

The Police registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on July 29, following a complaint by the minor girl and her mother, who reported the harassment that occurred on July 28, as reported.

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