Mumbai: The increase in cybercrime incidents in Mumbai is alarming. Citizens are being cheated on the pretext of fraud and digital arrest by claiming to be CBI, police and government officials. How will the government curb this? This is a daily occurrence and millions of rupees have been cheated in Mumbai including Ahilya Nagar. For this, the government will form a special task force. There has been a huge increase in cases of cheating people by threatening them in the name of digital arrest. Therefore, action must be taken against this. This demand was made by MLA Abu Asim Atami in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today. He said that in most of these cases, after demanding money, this money is transferred to another account and its recovery will be ensured within an hour. He drew the attention of the House to this and said that today online fraud is being done on mobile phones in the name of “digital arrest”. Although there is no system of “digital arrest” in the law, cybercrimes are targeting the middle class and senior citizens, creating an atmosphere of fear. Sometimes, false allegations of receiving illegal goods in parcels or couriers are made and sometimes the victim is intimidated by showing a booking in his name. While collecting information from social media, these accused pose as CBI or Narcotics officers, threaten people and transfer money online to their accounts on the pretext of saving them from false cases. Victims who are cheated lose their life’s earnings and are forced to commit suicide in despair. demanded in the House that the government should set up a special task force to curb the rise in cybercrimes, create public awareness through all means of communication, make helplines accessible and effective, and ensure that the money transferred to the victims is immediately returned and strict action is taken against the accused. On my issue, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam provided important information to the House and presented a detailed statement of the action being taken by the government on this issue. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified in the House that digital arrest has no legal status. If someone calls in the name of digital arrest, it is important to understand that he is a fraudster and should not be trusted because there is no provision for digital arrest in the legal procedure. An awareness campaign is being conducted regarding cyber crimes. Along with this, cyber fraudsters target the elderly. An IAS officer was also targeted in this. If anyone is subjected to cyber fraud, he should contact 1930 immediately for action and they will be assisted.

Mumbai: film actor Shah Rukh Khan’s troubles have increased. The Supreme Court has accepted the petition seeking registration of a case against Shah Rukh Khan for allegedly taking bribe from Sameer Wankhede and directed it to be linked to Sameer Wankhede’s petition against the CBI and SIT. The Chief Justice’s bench has directed that the petition filed by Rashid Khan Pathan against Shah Rukh Khan be tagged with Sameer Wankhede’s petition. When this matter comes up for hearing, it should also be linked to it. Advocate Nilesh Ojha, appearing for petitioner Rashid Khan Pathan, sought the main relief sought in the petition is the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the ground that the CBI investigation is not satisfactory. He further pointed out that Sameer Wankhede has been made an accused in the alleged bribery case against Shah Rukh Khan. However, Shah Rukh Khan has not been made an accused in the alleged bribery case. It was also said that Shah Rukh Khan himself has denied paying the bribe. In such circumstances, either the bribery charge against Wankhede should be discharged as a non-bailable offence or, if the charge is accepted, action should be taken against the alleged bribe giver as well. It was argued that this apparent inconsistency necessitated an independent investigation by the SIT. However, the court observed that the petitioner’s demand was correct. The complaint could be premature as both the petitions could be accepted at the time of filing the report and the issues could be examined after the investigating agency files its report. Accordingly, the court ordered that the petition be tagged with Sameer Wankhede’s petition to be heard together.

Mumbai: The campaign to clear the roads and footpaths of unauthorized hawkers in Mumbai city and metropolitan region is currently being effectively carried out. As per the court orders, strict action is being taken against unauthorized constructions and encroachments without any discrimination. Public roads and footpaths are for the safe and free movement of citizens. Therefore, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration has launched a special campaign to remove the obstacles caused by encroachments on them. Under this, encroachments are being removed, materials are being seized and punitive action is being taken. The court orders regarding encroachments and unauthorized constructions will be strictly followed and action against encroachments will be further tightened, the Municipal Commissioner stressed. The campaign to eliminate unauthorized hawker-free areas and encroachments is not only punishable in nature but is being implemented with the larger objective of maintaining public order, smooth flow of traffic and protection of the rights of pedestrians. The cooperation of Mumbaikars is very important for this campaign. Therefore, Gagrani has also appealed to the citizens to fully support the Municipal Corporation administration for this action. Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani today (February 23, 2026) made a surprise inspection of various areas falling under the jurisdiction of ‘F South’, ‘F North’ and ‘G North’ division offices. He specifically visited the Dadar area and took a detailed look at the unauthorized hawker free campaign as well as the eviction of unauthorized constructions. Deputy Commissioner (Zone 2) Prashant Sapkale, Deputy Commissioner (Special) (Additional Charge) Vinay Vijpute along with Assistant Commissioners, officers and engineers of the concerned departments were present on the occasion.

During this inspection, Municipal Commissioner Gagrani directly interacted with the local traders and businessmen as well as the common citizens and took note of their problems and suggestions. At that time, Mumbaikars expressed satisfaction with the campaign and responded positively to the policy of unauthorized hawker-free roads and footpaths and felt that this initiative is useful for order and smooth traffic. Due to the growing population of Mumbai city, traffic jams and encroachments on footpaths, it is becoming difficult for pedestrians to walk safely. In this backdrop, the unauthorized hawker-free roads and footpaths policy is being effectively implemented by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration. The main objective of this policy is to make major roads, narrow footpaths, areas under flyovers as well as areas around hospitals, schools and railway stations free from encroachments and provide open and safe public spaces for the citizens. Keeping in view the congestion, traffic congestion and accidents on roads and footpaths due to unauthorised hawkers, some areas have been declared as ‘hawker-free areas’. For the effective implementation of this policy, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has directed all the concerned departments to take strict and consistent action. Measures like daily action against those doing business illegally in the areas declared hawker-free, removal of encroachments, imposition of fines and seizure of materials are being implemented. This action will always continue but will be implemented regularly in collaboration with the zonal offices, administrative department offices, encroachment department and traffic police. Special teams have been ordered to be deployed at the places where encroachments are frequent and to keep a constant vigil.

Municipal Commissioner Gagrani said that the aim of this campaign is not to snatch the livelihood of hawkers but to ensure proper use of public spaces in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Therefore, emphasis is being placed on identifying authorized ‘hawkers zones’ for qualified and registered hawkers, surveying them and implementing rehabilitation plans and providing business opportunities in a systematic manner. This will protect the rights of pedestrians on one hand, and on the other hand, hawkers will also get employment opportunities within the ambit of the rules. The cooperation of citizens is also expected in this campaign. So that Mumbai metropolis can become more people-oriented, safe, orderly and livable.