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Pune rape case: Transport Minister orders safety audit of depots & disposal of scrapped buses by April 15

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Mumbai, Feb 27: A day after 26 year old woman was raped inside the state transport bus in Swargate depot from Pune, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday announced a slew of measures to upgrade security in buses and depots of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).

The minister called for the use of Artificial Technology, installation of CCTVs and GPS system in buses, installation of alarm and locking systems in buses, disposal of scrapped buses, four-wheelers and two-wheelers currently parked in various depots by April 15 and safety audit of all bus depots.

Further, the minister said the department will appeal to the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for the deployment of a senior IPS officer in the MSRTC to supervise and handle the security-related issues.

The minister further stated that the department and MSRTC will also seek help from various undertakings and the state security board to deploy more security guards in the bus depots across the state.

Currently, there are only 2,700 security guards, comprising fewer women, so the department will desire more security guards and also about 15 to 20 per cent additional women as security guards.

Sarnaik was speaking after he chaired a high-level meeting with the officers of the transport department and MSRTC to review the present security arrangements at MSRTC depots and further steps to be taken to improve the safety of women in particular. He has already ordered an inquiry into the rape case and asked the administration to suspend the concerned officers if found lapses in their functioning.

“There are about 15,000 buses, including newly inducted EV buses in the fleet of MSRTC. It was decided to use AI to improve security in buses and at the depots. The CCTVs, GPS system, alarm and locking systems will be installed in these buses. In addition, the scrapped buses, two and four wheelers not in use currently, parked at various depots, will be disposed of by April 15 so that the anti-social elements should not take undue advantage. The disposal of these scrapped vehicles will be jointly conducted by the transport department, regional transport offices and MSRTC,” he said.

He further added that there are around 800 bus depots and stations where these security arrangements will be further strengthened and the cleanliness there will also be implemented.

“The department will soon conduct a safety and security audit of these depots,” the minister said.

Sarnaik said that the department will make a special appeal to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to depute an IPS officer in the MSRTC to look after security aspects. He added that the post has been lying vacant despite the department’s request made in the past.

Sarnaik said that he has already ordered a departmental inquiry by senior officers about the functioning of the assistant transport superintendent and Swargate depot manager. They will be suspended immediately if lapses are found while discharging their duties. He said he has asked the acting MSRTC vice chairman and managing director Vivek Bhimanwar to immediately institute an inquiry.

Sarnaik said that his department accords priority to women’s safety. According to him, under the Mahila Samman Yojana, women are given 50 per cent discount on their travels from MSRTC buses. He further stated that due to this, the number of women passengers has increased substantially.

Crime

Mumbai Police Arrest 3 Men After Viral Video Shows Dangerous Car Stunt On Eastern Express Highway

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Police arrested three men on Thursday after they were caught performing dangerous car stunts on the Eastern Express Highway near Chembur. Acting quickly on a viral video shared on Instagram, the RCF Police apprehended the young men for their reckless actions on road near Chembur.

The video, which attracted widespread attention, showed the driver of a white car recklessly speeding along the expressway while several men inside were seen dangerously leaning out of the moving vehicle.

The complainant in the case is Police Constable Navnath Dattu Vaikhande (34), attached to RCF Police Station, who initiated legal action based on the viral video evidence.

The arrested accused have been identified as Adnan Mohammad Isa Khan (20), taxi driver, resident of Zakir Hussain Nagar, Govandi; native of Chamroopur Pathan, District Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Mukim Bashir Khan (22), taxi driver, resident of Road No. 3, behind Patel Hotel, Govandi; native of Sonpur, Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Junaid Awad Ali Khan (20), taxi driver, also residing at Road No. 3, behind Patel Hotel, Govandi; native of Sonpur, Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh.

The footage sparked public outrage and prompted an immediate response from law enforcement. After identifying the individuals involved, the RCF Police Station registered a case under Section 281 (Rash driving or riding on a public way), Section 125 (Negligent conduct), and Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which pertains to driving dangerously.

A video shared by the Mumbai police highlights dangerous activities by drivers and others. In the video, a group of people can be seen engaging in risky behaviour by hanging out of moving cars on the road, endangering their own lives and the lives of others, all while loud music plays.

The arrested individuals are currently in custody, and further investigations are ongoing to identify others involved in the stunt. Authorities are also probing whether the vehicle was rented or privately owned. This incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with irresponsible behaviour on the road and the serious consequences that can follow.

Many users reacted to the post shared by the Mumbai Police. One user asked about the other accused, saying, “Only 3 were arrested? Where are the others?” On the other hand, another user expressed appreciation for the Mumbai Police, stating, “Thank you, Mumbai Police, for not turning Mumbai into Delhi Part 2.”

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Crime

ED Seizes Assets Worth ₹32 Crore After Raids In Mumbai & Hyderabad In Illegal Land Development & Money Laundering Case

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Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized unaccounted assets worth over Rs 32 crore following raids at 13 locations in Mumbai and Hyderabad, as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged illegal land development and money laundering case.

The searches, carried out on May 14 and 15 (today) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), led to the recovery of Rs 9.04 crore in cash, and diamond-studded jewellery and bullion valued at approximately Rs 23.25 crore. Officials also recovered a significant volume of documents considered to be incriminating.

A major portion of the seizure Rs 8.6 crore in cash and jewellery and bullion worth Rs 23.25 crore was recovered from the Mumbai and Hyderabad residences of Y. S. Reddy, Deputy Director of Town Planning, Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC). Investigators also recovered documents believed to expose a large-scale illegal construction scam in the Vasai Virar region, allegedly executed in collusion with VVMC officials.

The searches were part of an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, targeting a syndicate allegedly involved in the illegal development of 41 mixed-use buildings in the Vasai-Virar region. These structures were reportedly constructed on nearly 60 acres of land originally earmarked for sewage treatment plants and dumping grounds by the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC).

According to ED sources, the syndicate allegedly forged municipal clearances and sold residential and commercial properties built on encroached public land, flouting urban planning and environmental norms. The racket is said to involve a complex web of shell companies and money laundering channels spanning Mumbai and Hyderabad.

The ED initiated its probe based on multiple FIRs registered by the Mira Bhayandar Police Commissionerate against several builders, local operatives, and others. The case pertains to the illegal construction of residential-cum-commercial buildings on both government and private land under the jurisdiction of the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC), with unauthorized activity dating back to 2009.

According to ED officials, 41 buildings were constructed illegally over time on land earmarked for public utilities, including a sewage treatment plant and dumping ground, as per the approved development plan of Vasai-Virar. The accused allegedly fabricated approval documents to mislead homebuyers, selling residential units despite having prior knowledge that the constructions were unauthorized and subject to demolition.

“This was a case of systematic fraud, wherein developers knowingly deceived the public by selling units in buildings that had no legal sanction,” an ED official said.

The matter reached the judiciary, and the Bombay High Court, in an order dated July 8, 2024, directed the demolition of all 41 illegal structures. A Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by affected families was later dismissed by the Supreme Court. Subsequently, VVMC carried out the court-mandated demolition, which was completed on February 20, 2025.

ED officials said that the ongoing investigation will further examine the financial transactions, identify the complete network of individuals and entities involved, and determine the extent of money laundering and fraud perpetrated in the case.

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Crime

Mumbai: Shivaji Nagar Police Station Head Caught Red-Handed Taking Bribe Of ₹1 Lakh From School Trustee; Arrested By ACB

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Mumbai: In a major crackdown on corruption within the police force, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Mumbai arrested Senior Police Inspector Bapurao Madhukar Deshmukh, 57, head of the Shivaji Nagar Police Station, on Tuesday night. He was caught red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from a school trustee at his own police station. This amount was reportedly part of a larger Rs 2.5 lakh bribe that he had allegedly demanded for providing police protection and assistance in a legal matter.

According to the ACB, the complainant is a 41-year-old trustee of a school located in the Shivaji Nagar area. The issue dates back to August 15, 2024, when a group allegedly broke open the lock of the school gate and forcibly entered the premises over a property-related dispute. The trustee had approached the Shivaji Nagar police station to file a complaint and had also submitted the matter to the Charity Commissioner.

Seeking official police assistance to prevent further intrusions and to safeguard the school until the Charity Commissioner passed a final order, the trustee approached Inspector Deshmukh. However, instead of providing legitimate police support, Deshmukh allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 3 lakh to ensure police protection and to prevent the opposing group from accessing the premises.

After some negotiation, the bribe was brought down to Rs 2.5 lakh. Unwilling to pay for lawful services, the trustee approached the ACB and lodged a complaint. Following a verification process, the ACB set up a trap and nabbed Deshmukh while accepting the first instalment of Rs 1 lakh at his office on Tuesday night.

Deshmukh, a Class I officer with just a year left until retirement, was arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He will be produced in court on Wednesday. The operation was conducted under the guidance of ACB Additional Commissioner Sandeep Diwan, with supervision from Additional DCPs Anil Gherdikar and Rajendra Sangale.

According to the report quoting an ACB source, further inquiry will also examine Deshmukh’s assets to determine if he owns property disproportionate to his known sources of income. The case has however sparked renewed concerns about corruption at senior levels in the police force.

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