Mumbai: Mumbai’s Santacruz Police uncovered a bizarre yet elaborate scam in which a gang allegedly promised to ‘make money rain’ to solve a businessman’s financial problems. Two suspects, identified as Gujarat residents Ilyas Karim Musani and Sohilbhai Jigarbhai Shaikh, were arrested recently, while police are searching for additional accomplices believed to be part of the racket. Cops are also verifying whether the gang has duped more victims using similar deceptive rituals.

The complainant is a 76-year-old resident of Juhu Tara Road in Santacruz who operates a dairy business registered in his late wife’s name. For nearly two years, his wife had been seriously ill, leading him to lease the dairy for Rs 2 lakh and to rent out a room for Rs 3 lakh to cover her medical treatment. Despite his efforts, she succumbed to the illness. After performing her funeral rites in his hometown, the grieving senior citizen returned to Mumbai burdened with heavy debt accumulated during the prolonged medical battle.

During this challenging period, he met a man identified only as Khan Sahab and confided in him about his financial distress. Khan then introduced him to two men, Sahil and Imran, claiming they possessed supernatural abilities and could create money rain to wipe away his debt. The complainant was taken to them, where the duo allegedly performed a demonstration by pulling out small bundles of currency from their clothing, convincing him they could generate money through mystical rituals.

The scammers instructed the victim to procure certain ritualistic items along with cash. On 25 October 2025, he met the accused at Juhu Chowpatty as directed. There, the gang collected Rs 1.5 lakh from him and performed a staged ritual. They handed him a bag, assuring him that it contained money generated through their powers and quickly disappeared from the spot.

However, according to the report, when the businessman returned home and opened the bag, he found it filled with fake Rs 500 and Rs 200 notes marked as ‘Indian Entertainment Bank’ and ‘Indian Children’s Bank.’ Realising he had fallen prey to fraud, he approached the Santacruz Police and lodged a complaint, leading to the registration of a cheating case.

Cops then tracked the accused using CCTV footage and technical surveillance, eventually learning that they had fled to Gujarat. A police team was sent to Botad town, where Musani and Shaikh were detained. During questioning, both confessed to the crime and were brought back to Mumbai for arrest. Police continue efforts to recover the stolen amount and identify other members of the racket involved in the elaborate con.

Mumbai: Vivek Vidyalaya Junior College in Mumbai’s Goregaon has come under scrutiny after introducing a new dress code that bars students from wearing burqas inside classrooms, a shift that has surprised many, as the attire had been permitted for years.

While Mumbai colleges often restrict outfits like ripped jeans, shorts, or crop tops, this institution has now added religious coverings such as burqas and niqabs to the list, citing the need to avoid clothing that reveals religion or shows cultural disparity. Hijabs and headscarves, however, continue to be allowed.

The controversy escalated after a video shared by local news portal media went viral on X, showing burqa-wearing students being stopped at the college entrance. A student narrates the situation, and the clip later shows the group meeting the principal, who appears firm in rejecting their request to withdraw the rule.

Several students stated that they now arrive on campus in burqas, change into regular clothes in the washroom before class, and switch back afterward. “I’ve worn a burqa all my life. Sitting in class without one feels uncomfortable,” said an FYJC student.

Importantly, the ban applies only to the junior college section; the senior college has no such restriction. Students who questioned the decision claimed they were asked to cancel their admissions if they disagreed with the policy.

On December 1, a group of affected students, joined by AIMIM advocate Jahanara Shaikh, approached the Teen Dongri police station in Goregaon West. The principal was summoned for discussions. Shaikh confirmed that no legal action has been taken yet. “We requested the principal to revoke the rule, but she refused, saying she would consult the management. We will meet the authorities again in two days,” she said. The college management has not issued any official statement into the matter as of now.

Navi Mumbai, Dec 02: Navi Mumbai Police’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) on Saturday busted a prostitution racket operating under the guise of massage services at Arpana’s Salon & Spa in Sector 11, Juhugaon, Vashi, rescuing six women from the premises. The spa’s manager, Asima Robin Ghosh (34), was arrested, while her partner, Noor Alam Shaikh, remains absconding.

According to police, the spa was allegedly charging Rs 6,000 per customer and coercing women into prostitution. Acting on specific information, the AHTU deployed a decoy customer on November 30 to verify the operations.

Once the illegal activities were confirmed, a team led by Senior Police Inspector Prithviraj Ghorpade, along with API Yogesh Deshmukh, PSI Sarita Gude and other personnel, conducted a swift raid on the establishment.

During the operation, officers found six women who revealed they were being forced into sex work under the guise of providing massage services. Based on their statements, police registered a case against Ghosh and Shaikh under BNS Section 143(3) and Sections 3, 4, 7 and 7(1) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

“We will continue to crack down on establishments exploiting women under the pretext of spa and massage services. Action will be taken against all those involved, including the absconding accused,” said Senior PI Prithviraj Ghorpade.

Ghosh has been remanded to police custody till December 4, and the search for Noor Alam Shaikh is underway, officials added.