Navi Mumbai: The Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrested two Navi Mumbai-based men for allegedly supplying chemicals used in the manufacture of spurious liquor linked to the Pune hooch tragedy that claimed 22 lives in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

The accused have been identified as Arun Jagdamba Chaube (59) and his son Abhishek Arun Chaube (24), both residents of Vashi in Navi Mumbai. The duo was apprehended by a CID special team following revelations during the ongoing investigation into the deadly liquor racket, as reported by Loksatta.

According to officials, cops found that the father-son duo had allegedly supplied hazardous chemicals used in the preparation of the toxic liquor consumed by the victims. After tracking their role in the supply chain, CID officers arrested them from Navi Mumbai and produced them before a magistrate’s court in Pimpri. The court remanded both accused to four days of police custody to facilitate further investigation into the source and distribution network of the chemicals.

The arrests come days after authorities detained the alleged kingpin of the racket, Yogesh Wankhede, along with several associates. Following the deaths of over 20 people, the Maharashtra government transferred the probe to the CID to uncover the full extent of the illicit liquor network.

Meanwhile, rattled by the scale of the tragedy, the Maharashtra State Excise Department has launched a statewide crackdown on illicit liquor manufacturing and distribution. State Excise Commissioner Rajesh Deshmukh said the department conducted 440 raids across Maharashtra over the past few days, leading to the arrest of 333 persons allegedly involved in the production and sale of illegal liquor.

During the operation, officials seized 1.61 lakh litres of chemicals used in manufacturing illicit liquor, 9,686 litres of spurious liquor and five vehicles. The total value of the seized material has been estimated at Rs 83.24 lakh.

Navi Mumbai: The Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) carried out a major anti-encroachment drive in Ward Committee ‘D’, demolishing several unauthorised furniture shops near Simran Motors in New Panvel on Monday.

Acting on the instructions of Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale, the civic body’s encroachment department used a JCB machine to remove the illegal structures and seized furniture and other materials from the site.

The action is part of an ongoing campaign against encroachments across all four ward committees within the PMC jurisdiction. Additional Municipal Commissioner Maheshkumar Meghmale has directed officials to intensify action against illegal constructions and roadside encroachments, civic officials said.

“Encroachments on public spaces will not be tolerated. Strict action is being undertaken across all ward committees to ensure roads, footpaths and public areas remain free from unauthorised structures,” a PMC official said.

Assistant Commissioner and Ward Officer Rupali Mane supervised the operation along with Ward Superintendent Rajesh Dongre. The demolition drive was carried out with the assistance of the encroachment squad and security personnel.

“The drive in New Panvel is part of a larger effort to maintain civic order and remove unauthorised commercial establishments operating on public land,” the official added.

PMC officials said similar anti-encroachment operations will continue in different parts of the municipal area in the coming weeks.

Mumbai: In a shocking incident, a 38-year-old man was allegedly attacked and stabbed to death in the Mankhurd area by three men.

the deceased, identified as Vilas Hiwale, was attacked after he reportedly shone a torch at a group of people sitting in the dark. The accused have been identified as Rajesh Londhe, Siddharth Londhe, and Sagar Kapsikar.

Vilas was taken to Sion Hospital for treatment but succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Mankhurd Police have registered a murder case and launched a search for the three accused, who are currently absconding. Police said the accused have a criminal history, and further investigation is underway. Currently, it is unclear whether shining a torch was the actual cause of the stabbing or whether an altercation that followed led to the death of the 38-year-old man.

Meanwhile, in another shocking incidents, the body of the four-year-old boy was discovered in an open drain in the Neelkamal Naka area. Though it was assumed to be a case of accidental drowning, during the initial spot assessment, the police noticed suspicious elements, prompting them to change the direction of their investigation. However, it was found that the toddler’s mother’s paramour murdered the child and threw his body into a drain to stage it as an accident.

In Mira Bhayandar, a boy was found murdered inside the lavatory of Shanti Shopping Centre in Mira Road, with the body reportedly discovered in a mutilated condition. According to information from media, the body was found inside the bathroom of the commercial complex, after which the police were alerted. In Powai, a four-year-old boy was allegedly killed by his father for repeatedly crying for milk. The Powai police arrested the accused, identified as Rajesh Singh (26), on charges of murder.