The Shivajinagar Police, investigating the Govandi child trafficking case, have arrested a total of seven individuals so far, including the prime accused, Mohammad Nabil Rizwan Shaikh alias Sameer (20), a resident of Rafique Nagar and a known repeat offender. Police have busted a racket involving the sale of a six-day-old infant for Rs5.5 lakh on August 6. 

Tip-Off from Social Activist Leads to Trap

According to the police, the breakthrough came after social activist Dr. Binu Verghese received a tip-off that Sameer was involved in the illegal sale of newborns. To confirm the information, Dr. Verghese enlisted the help of a Thane-based couple—Mayuri and her husband Lakshminarayan Vannam—who posed as potential buyers.

According to police sources, Sameer initially offered to sell a yet-to-be-born child for Rs4 lakh and demanded Rs50,000 in advance. The couple paid him Rs10,000 and stayed in contact. On August 6, Sameer informed them that a baby boy was immediately available and quoted Rs5.5 lakh for the sale.

Police Arrest Two Women at Lotus Junction

Dr. Verghese promptly alerted the police, who then laid a trap at Lotus Junction. During the operation, police arrested Nazima Aslam Shaikh alias Nasreen,35, and her mother Fatima Mehmoodali Shaikh,72, when they arrived with the newborn.

Infant’s Parentage and Hospital Link

Investigations revealed that the child belonged to a woman named Sumaiya Irfan Khan, Khan, who had delivered the baby on August 1 at S.N. Hospital, Shivajinagar. It later emerged that a nurse from a local hospital involved in handing over the infant to Nasreen and Fatima for sale. Both are believed to be connected to the larger trafficking network.

Larger Trafficking Network Suspected

The police are currently interrogating the arrested all seven accused—including five women—are currently in custody and conducting a thorough investigation into the broader network involved in trafficking newborns. Police suspect that Sameer had plans to sell more infants, and more arrests may follow. 

Mumbai: Intelligence inputs have revealed that the underworld has expanded into the production and trafficking of the synthetic drug mephedrone (MD), with notorious gangsters Salim Dola and Umed-ur-Rehman emerging as major players in this illicit trade.

According to Mumbai Crime Branch sources, this shift marks a significant change in the underworld’s operations, with several key figures including fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim, Salim Dola, and Umed-ur-Rehman allegedly channeling funds from Pakistan and Dubai to strengthen the MD drug network in Mumbai and other parts of the country. Investigators believe the underworld is increasingly turning away from extortion and gang wars to focus on the high-profit narcotics trade.

Kidnapping of Drug Mafia Sajid Electricwala Linked to MD Deal

The Crime Branch recently uncovered an underworld link in the kidnapping and extortion of drug mafia Sajid Electricwala. Probe findings suggest that the abduction was triggered after Sajid allegedly took advance payment for an MD consignment but failed to deliver.

Connection with Pakistan-Based Underworld Figures

Crime Branch officers revealed that Sarvar Khan, one of the 14 accused arrested in the case, was in direct contact with Anwar Sheikh — also known as Anwar Bhai — the Pakistan-based brother of underworld don Chhota Shakeel. Anwar fled India in 1984 and is wanted for multiple cases, including murder and extortion.

Confession Points to Drug Manufacturing and Distribution Network

Sarvar Khan, during interrogation, allegedly confessed that Anwar had paid Sajid ₹50 lakh for manufacturing MD. When Sajid failed to deliver the drugs, he was kidnapped to recover the money. Sarvar also claimed that Anwar intended to route the manufactured MD through Umed-ur-Rehman and Salim Dola for distribution.

Reward Announced for Absconding Gangster Salim Dola

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has announced a ₹1 lakh cash reward for credible information leading to the arrest of Salim Ismail Dola, 57, who remains absconding. Umed-ur-Rehman, once considered the most wanted shooter in the Chhota Rajan gang, was arrested by Mumbai Police over a decade ago but is currently on the run.

Rise in Domestic Synthetic Drug Production

Former Maharashtra DGP Pravin Dixit told The Free Press Journal that while India earlier served primarily as a transit hub for drug trafficking, there is now a worrying rise in domestic production of synthetic drugs like MD in remote locations. “Concerted action by departments of industry, food adulteration officers, revenue, and police is necessary. 100% checks of production units must be carried out regularly to expose such illegal activities,” Dixit said.

Underworld Profits Reinvested in Organised Crime

Investigators suspect that profits from the MD trade are being reinvested into other organised crime activities. The Mumbai Crime Branch plans to name Anwar Sheikh as a co-accused in the Sajid Electricwala case. Further raids and arrests are expected as agencies intensify their crackdown on this growing underworld–narcotics nexus.

Mumbai: A 53-year-old woman, Ambubai Sonawane, succumbed a day after a road accident in Goregaon East. She was riding pillion on a motorcycle driven by her 29-year-old acquaintance, Shubham Ghatwal, when the incident occurred at the Goregaon check naka while attempting to overtake a BEST bus on August 5. She was declared dead during treatment on August 6.

About The Accident

According to the police, Sonawane, a junior artist in the film industry, resided in Shanti Niketan, Goregaon East, with her family. On August 4, she went to Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari for a film shoot. The next morning, around 8.30 am, while returning home, she met Ghatwal, who offered her a ride. As they headed towards the Goregaon check post, Ghatwal attempted to overtake a bus and collided with an oncoming two-wheeler.

Sonawane fell, sustaining serious injuries. She was first taken to Seven Hills Hospital, Andheri. After receiving first aid, she was brought home. Later, her son took her to Trauma Care Hospital in Jogeshwari East, where she was declared dead during treatment.