Mumbai, April 8: The Mumbai police have booked three brothers from Bhandup for allegedly forging affidavits and submitting false information to government authorities to fraudulently insert their names as legal heirs in official property records, including the property card and 7/12 extract. The accused are said to have subsequently sold this prime land parcel in Bhandup, currently valued at approximately Rs 450 crore.

The accused have been identified as Hitendra Shankar Gawand, Mahendra Shankar Gawand, and Narendra Shankar Gawand. Nimish Vajralal Sura, a partner in M/s Newkem Products Corporation, the company that purchased the land, has also been named as a co-accused in the case.

According to the FIR, the complaint was filed by Neeraj Prakash Malvi, 27, a resident of Thane West, who works at a private firm in Powai. He lives with his father, Prakash Malvi, 65, while his elder sister Hemangi, 29, recently got married in March 2026 and resides in Goregaon.

Neeraj’s mother, Bhavana Prakash Malvi (née Bhavana Shankar Gavand), passed away on May 9, 2005. Following her death, Neeraj and his sister, who were minors at the time, lived for a few years with their maternal uncle, Narendra Gavand.

The disputed land, located at Lake Road in Bhandup (West), bearing CTS Nos. 204 and 204/1 to 6, originally belonged to Neeraj’s grandfather, Shankar Narayan Gavand.

After his mother’s death, Neeraj’s father was allegedly assured by the three uncles that Bhavana Gavand was a legal heir and that her children would be entitled to a 5% share in the ancestral property.

The alleged fraud came to light in 2024 when Neeraj’s father initiated the process to sell a portion of the property for family needs. They discovered that the entire property had already been sold in 2010 by the three uncles to M/s Newchem Products Corporation.

Upon obtaining documents from the Mulund City Survey Office, it was revealed that shortly after Bhavana Gavand’s death, the accused brothers had submitted a false affidavit dated July 6, 2005, claiming that only they and their mother were the legal heirs of the deceased, deliberately excluding Bhavana’s children. Based on this affidavit, they allegedly got their names added to the property card and land records (7/12 extract).

Subsequently, on April 29, 2010, the brothers allegedly executed an illegal conveyance deed and sold the land to M/s Newkem Products Corporation.

The FIR further states that Nimish Sura was aware of Bhavana Gavand’s legal claim, as multiple meetings regarding the land transaction had taken place between 2003 and 2005 involving all family members, during which Bhavana had allegedly raised objections over her share.

Following Neeraj Malvi’s complaint, the Bhandup police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and have initiated further investigation.

Mumbai: A Hawala racket was busted as the Anti-Terrorism Branch conducted raids at three locations in Mumbai’s Kurar area on April 8.

During the operation, they seized Rs 12.5 lakh cash, multiple fake passports, 9 mobile phones, a laptop, an iPad, and extensive documents, including bank wire transfer records. Authorities are probing a possible terror funding angle in the operation.

Earlier in March, a joint operation conducted by the police and the Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC) detained two Ugandan women from the Vakola area for allegedly residing in India without valid documents.

The detained women were identified as Nakayondo Rose (37) and Kemigisa Proscovia (26). According to police sources, the duo had been living in the Kalina area of Mumbai for the past few years but did not possess valid visas or necessary legal documents to stay in the country. Acting on specific inputs about their prolonged illegal stay, police carried out a targeted raid in the area.

Prio to that, in February, the Mumbai Police, in coordination with the Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC), intensified their crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi nationals residing in the city, detaining more than 30 individuals over the recent week as part of an ongoing verification and deportation drive.

Mumbai: witnessed a deeply unsettling incident in Baiganwadi, Govandi, where a young man was caught on CCTV allegedly stealing a mobile phone during Friday Jumma namaz at Noor e Illahi Masjid on Road No 8 on April 3, 2026.

The video, now widely shared across social media platforms, shows devotees immersed in prayer, completely unaware of their surroundings. In a matter of seconds, the accused quietly reaches into the pocket of a worshipper standing ahead of him, removes the phone, and walks away without drawing attention.

The brazenness of the act, carried out during a moment of faith and silence, has left residents disturbed. Many locals believe this may not be an isolated case and suspect the same individual could be linked to previous thefts in the area.

The incident has triggered concerns about safety even in places traditionally considered secure. Residents say the violation of trust within a place of worship has intensified unease.

While Mumbai continues to be known for its resilience and communal harmony, such incidents underline the need for vigilance and stronger security measures, even in spaces meant for peace.

In a separate case, a 20 year old woman was apprehended at Kandivali railway station on Monday morning after allegedly stealing a mangalsutra worth Rs 2 lakh from a fellow commuter.

The incident occurred around 8 am during peak hours, when heavy crowds move through Mumbai’s suburban railway network. According to reports circulating online, the accused targeted a commuter and attempted to flee after committing the theft.

However, alert commuters and authorities quickly intervened, chasing and detaining her within the station premises before she could escape.

Visuals from the scene show the woman being handcuffed by police, drawing attention from onlookers.

These back to back incidents have reignited concerns over safety in crowded public spaces. Daily commuters have long flagged theft and chain snatching as recurring issues, particularly during rush hours.

As investigations continue, many are calling for enhanced surveillance, stricter monitoring, and increased awareness to prevent such crimes in the future.