Mumbai: Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday told the assembly that four officials have been suspended and 22 security guards transferred following the incident of assault on a woman at Swargate bus station in Thane.

Sarnaik informed that the incident occurred a few days ago inside a Shivshahi ST bus at Swargate bus station. The victim filed a complaint at the Swargate police station, prompting the government to take serious note of the matter. Orders for an inquiry were issued to the vice chairman and managing director of the state transport corporation.

Based on the inquiry report, senior depot manager Jayesh Patil, junior depot manager Pallavi Patil, assistant traffic inspector Sunil Yele, and assistant traffic superintendent Mohini Dhage have been suspended for negligence in ensuring passenger safety. Additionally, 22 security guards stationed at Swargate have been transferred.

The minister warned that any future lapses in ensuring the safety of female passengers would lead to strict action against the responsible officers and staff.

New Delhi, March 13: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police is investigating a major financial fraud involving the New India Cooperative Bank, which has reportedly seen a Rs 122 crore embezzlement.

The investigation has revealed that former bank president Hiren Bhanu, who is wanted in the case, along with his wife Gauri Bhanu, the bank’s current acting president, and vice president, have purchased multiple properties between 2019 and 2024.

A police official stated that during this period, Rs 122 crore was embezzled from the bank, raising suspicions that the properties acquired by the Bhanu couple may be proceeds of crime.

The EOW is now focussing on investigating these properties as part of their probe into the financial scam. The police are exploring the use of new provisions under the BNSS (Bureau of Non-Specific Financial Crime) Act to seize the assets of the fugitives, as the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) cannot be applied in this case.

The official further elaborated, “We are examining how these properties can be seized, considering that MCOCA does not apply. We are also exploring if the MCOCA provisions can be added to the FIR.”

According to the investigation, just before the scam came to light, the couple fled the country, and in the period between 2019 and 2024, Hiren Bhanu reportedly acquired assets worth Rs 10-12 crore in Mumbai and its outskirts.

The EOW has been closely monitoring these properties, which are now under scrutiny to assess whether they were purchased with the stolen funds. The police are considering invoking BNSS Section 107 (related to property attachment, confiscation, or restoration) to seize the assets, as this provision gives law enforcement the authority to confiscate properties when specific Acts like MCOCA cannot be applied.

This investigation is ongoing, and the EOW is working to ensure that the proceeds of the crime are properly recovered, while also ensuring accountability for the Bhanu couple’s actions in the ongoing Rs 122 crore bank scam.

Mumbai: Mumbai Police is on alert in view of Holi. Mumbai Police has also issued orders to take strict action against those driving vehicles after drinking alcohol during Holi. Instructions have been issued to take strict action against those misbehaving and abusing women, drug smugglers and those selling liquor illegally. Holi will be celebrated as Dholi Vandana or Rang Panchami on March 13 and March 14.

Mumbai Police has claimed to make special arrangements for Holi. 7 additional commissioners, 19 DCPs, 51 ACPs, 1767 police officers, 1945 jawans, SRPF platoon, RPF platoon, QRT team, BDDS squad, Home Guard have been deployed on Holi under the leadership of Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Panchalkar, Special Commissioner Devin Bharti and Joint Police Commissioner Satyanarayan Chaudhary. Blockades have been done at many places. Police has also launched a special campaign against those driving vehicles after drinking alcohol.

If someone creates chaos in public places after consuming alcohol, action will be taken against him. A special campaign has also been launched against people with criminal records.