Thane, April 1: In a high-stakes operation, the Thane Crime Branch (Unit-3, Kalyan) has arrested a notorious 55-year-old history-sheeter and social media personality, Surendra Pandurang Patil, following the discovery of a massive arsenal of illegal weapons and counterfeit currency hidden in his luxury residence.

Acting on a confidential tip-off, a team led by Assistant Police Inspector Sarjerao Patil conducted a strategic raid at Patil’s residence, Ekvira Bungalow, located in the Shri Dhanlakshmi Apartment complex in Dawdi, Dombivli (East).

The search revealed a sophisticated, secret compartment built into a wardrobe within a hidden bedroom, accessible through a concealed entry behind a shoe rack on the fifth-floor terrace. From this “mini-armory,” police recovered:

Firearms: 3 country-made pistols, 1 sixer revolver, and 2 air guns.
Ammunition: 405 live cartridges, 167 lead pellets, and 1 empty magazine.
Bladed Weapons: 2 sharp iron swords, 3 iron choppers (koytas), 1 sharp dagger, and 1 button knife.

Other Items: 2 iron rods, 2 mobile phones, and ₹3,52,000 in counterfeit Indian currency (both old and new denominations). The total value of the seized assets is estimated at approximately ₹12,21,000.

Surendra Pandurang Patil, a construction businessman by profession, has gained notoriety as an Instagram “Reel Star.” However, his digital fame masks a long-standing criminal history.

According to police records, Patil is a habitual offender with over a dozen cases registered against him at various stations, including Manpada, Kolshewadi, Dombivli, and Mahatma Phule Chowk.

His extensive criminal record includes charges for:
Attempted murder and grievous assault.
Arms Act violations.
Cheating, criminal intimidation, and trespassing.
Violations under the Maharashtra Police Act.

Palghar: In a swift operation, the Palghar police solved the brutal murder of an unidentified man whose beheaded body was discovered stuffed inside a sack near the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway. The police have arrested two suspects within just eight hours of the crime being reported.

In an update shared by the Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar Police, the accused murdered their friend due to a financial dispute in the business. On further interrogation, it was revealed that the head was severed with a sharp weapon, and multiple stabs were inflicted on the body. The police further stated that the head and torso of the victim were separated and dumped at different locations to avoid identification.

The crime detection team inspected the crime scene, tracked suspect vehicles, and, through technical analysis and local information, successfully identified the two suspects.

The body was discovered on Monday morning along a secluded path in the Ambepada locality. The police have arrived at the scene and launched a high-level investigation. The body was discovered by a group of local youths passing through the Ambepada area, located approximately 1,000 meters from National Highway 48, who noticed a suspicious sack dumped near some bushes.

Meanwhile, in another disturbing incident from Vasai, a CCTV footage surfaced online, triggering widespread outrage after a man was seen violently assaulting a four-year-old child. The incident stemmed from a petty altercation between the accused, identified as Sandeep Pawar, and the child’s father.

What began as a minor dispute escalated into a brutal act involving the innocent child. Following the incident, the Vasai Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the accused, identified as Sandeep Pawar. Pawar has since been arrested.

Mumbai: In a major crackdown on cyber fraud, the Mumbai Police has uncovered a new and dangerous modus operandi in which fraudsters routed stolen money through multiple bank accounts before converting it into cash via petrol pumps. The Sir JJ Marg Police Station has arrested one accused  in connection with the case.

The arrested accused has been identified as Rahul Kumar Shaitanmal Sen (23), a resident of Pali in Rajasthan. According to police, Sen worked as a cash conversion agent and facilitated the transfer of fraud money into fake bank accounts through petrol pumps in exchange for commission.

Police said that apart from Sen, several others  Aftab Imran Sayyed (22), Mohammed Shadab Ashfaq Khan (25), Abdul Qadir Allauddin (40), Amit Subhashchandra Mishra (34), and Sanoj alias Pintu Singh (38) — were detained and later released after being served notices.

Commission-Based Network: Investigations revealed that the racket operated through a well-organized, commission-based network. Different members were assigned specific roles  some arranged fake or rented bank accounts, others handled the layering of funds across multiple accounts, while a few managed cash operations at petrol pumps. Each member was paid a commission, ensuring the smooth functioning of the network.

Petrol Pump Cash-Out: Police said the gang first obtained money through online fraud. The funds were then routed through multiple bank accounts to obscure their origin. Eventually, the money was transferred to petrol pump accounts, where it was converted into cash.

At the petrol pumps, gang members would collect cash from customers and deposit an equivalent amount into bank accounts. While the transactions appeared legitimate on the surface, they were actually used to launder cyber fraud proceeds and convert them into cash.

During interrogation, Sen admitted that he played a key role in converting digital money into cash and forwarding it within the network for commission. Police recovered ₹47,000 in cash, multiple mobile phones, and crucial banking transaction records from his possession. Analysis of his mobile devices revealed contacts with other accused, pointing to a wider network.

Funds Frozen, Wider Links Suspected:  Police have frozen ₹74,000 across various bank accounts as part of the investigation. Officials suspect that the racket may have links to other cities and states.

The fraud came to light through technical analysis of bank transactions and digital evidence. Police are now probing further to identify the mastermind and trace other members involved in the operation.