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Thane Shocker: US National, 2 Others Held In Bhiwandi For Alleged Religious Conversion Attempt; Shows Arrest Scenes

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Thane: Three people, including a US national, were arrested in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Saturday for allegedly attempting to convert villagers to Christianity. The incident occurred in Chimbipada, a locality in Bhiwandi and came to light after a video showing the police confronting the accused went viral on social media.

In the video, the foreign national can be seen speaking to a group of locals gathered inside a house. Police officials, upon reaching the spot, questioned him and his companions but reportedly received vague and unsatisfactory responses. As a result, all three individuals were taken into custody for further investigation.

According to the police, the arrests followed a complaint filed by a local resident who alleged that a religious gathering had been organised on Friday afternoon outside one of the houses in the village. During the meeting, the accused allegedly distributed books on Christianity to men, women and children, while also leading them in prayers. The complaint further stated that the accused told villagers that embracing Christianity would help cure their ailments and bring them peace, reported PTI.

The arrested individuals have been identified as James Watson (58), a US citizen, Sainath Ganpati Sarpe (42), a resident of Vasai and Manoj Kolha (35), outside whose house the gathering reportedly took place.

Following an inquiry, the police booked the trio under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly promoting religious enmity and attempting to hurt the sentiments of a community. They have also been charged under the Foreigners Act for violations related to visa and travel restrictions, as well as under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.

Officials confirmed that Watson, the American national, is being questioned regarding his purpose of visit and whether he possessed the necessary permissions to engage in such gatherings. The other two accused are also under interrogation to determine their roles in organising and facilitating the event. All three accused remain in police custody as the Thane rural police continue their probe into the alleged conversion attempt.

Crime

24-Year-Old Man Attacked With Sharp Weapon At Simba Uproar 2026 In Bandra After Dance Floor Altercation, Case Registered

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Mumbai: Three unidentified individuals allegedly attacked a 24-year-old youth with a sharp object during Simba Uproar 2026, a music concert held in Bandra East. The incident occurred on Saturday at around 9 pm. The attack reportedly took place following a minor altercation after someone was bumped into while dancing. The BKC police on Sunday registered a case against three unidentified individuals.

According to the police, the complainant, Aditya Mukhi, a resident of Sion West, works with a private company. On April 11, he and his friend, Divyang, attended Simba Uproar 2026, a music concert organised at the MMRDA grounds in BKC. They reached the venue at around 7.30 pm.

At around 9 pm, both were dancing along with other attendees when three to four individuals standing nearby were also dancing. During this time, one of the individuals bumped into Aditya. When Aditya objected and asked him not to push, the situation escalated.

Following this, the man began verbally abusing him. Soon after, one of his associates hit Aditya on the back of his head. Another person allegedly assaulted him with shoes, while a fourth individual attacked him with a sharp object, causing injuries to his left hand and stomach. The accused also allegedly threatened him with dire consequences.

Aditya’s friend immediately rushed him to Gurunanak Hospital in Kherwadi by ambulance. After receiving treatment, they approached the BKC police station and lodged a complaint.

The police have registered a case under Section 118 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), along with other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

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Crime

Fake Govt Jobs Racket Busted In Mumbai; 13 Accused Named In ₹1.54 Crore Fraud Case

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Mumbai: The Charkop police have registered an FIR against 13 individuals for allegedly cheating. The accused allegedly collected ₹1.54 crore from several people on the pretext of facilitating jobs in Mantralaya, the BMC, the Income Tax Department, and other government offices. The case was registered on April 11.

According to the FIR, the complainant, Sushil Patil, 36, is a resident of Kandivali West and works as a real estate contractor. In 2016, a friend introduced him to Satish Wankhede, and the two gradually developed a cordial relationship. In 2018, Wankhede told Patil that he could facilitate government jobs without any examination, claiming he had strong contacts with government officials. He also claimed to have already secured jobs for several people and showed Patil fake job offer letters.

Patil informed Wankhede that he held a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and was seeking a government job. Wankhede assured him that he could arrange a position in departments such as the Revenue Department, Thane Municipal Corporation, the Maharashtra Assembly, the Nagpur Tehsil office, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, and demanded ₹60 lakh for the same.

In 2018, Wankhede took ₹10 lakh from Patil and collected photocopies of his documents. However, in 2020, he told Patil that recruitment in the Revenue Department had been put on hold. When Patil inquired about opportunities in other departments, Wankhede assured him of a job in the Thane Municipal Corporation and arranged a meeting with junior engineer Yatin More in Thane Municipality.

More allegedly assured Patil that he would conduct an interview and provide a job. Wankhede then demanded more money, and Patil paid him an additional ₹20 lakh through cash and online transactions.

Wankhede later asked Patil to introduce him to others seeking government jobs. Patil introduced around 10 of his friends to Wankhede, who allegedly collected large sums of money from them as well under the pretext of securing government employment. He claimed that the money would be distributed among officials in various departments. In total, he allegedly took ₹1.54 crore from all the aspirants.

Wankhede’s associates and the accused, who allegedly promised jobs in different government departments, have been identified as Sharad Rajguru, Balasaheb Kamble, Dr Mangesh Patil, Dhawal Patil, Pramod Solapure, Vinod Mali, Ravindra Kamble, Jitendra Chaudhary, Abhay Patil, Kamalesh Gandhalikar, Dinesh Nikale, and Yatin More. Satish Wankhede is the prime accused in the case.

The police have registered the case under Section 316(2) (cheating) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

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Crime

47-Year-Old Custody Escapee Arrested In Virar After Tea Stall Dispute Raised Suspicion

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Mumbai: In a dramatic turn of events, a habitual offender who had escaped from police custody at the Colaba Sessions Court earlier this week has been arrested in Virar. The breakthrough came after a seemingly minor dispute at a local tea stall drew attention to his identity.

The accused, Harrison Anthony Joseph, 47, a resident of the Crawford Market area, had fled from police custody on April 7. He had been brought from Arthur Road Jail to attend a court hearing when he managed to escape within the court premises, raising serious concerns about security lapses.

Joseph is no stranger to law enforcement. Around 20 serious cases are registered against him across multiple police stations in Mumbai, including MRA Marg, Colaba, Wadala, Sewri, and L T Marg. His offences range from possession of weapons to involvement in a deadly assault.

The accused’s run came to an unexpected end in Virar West on Thursday morning. He was reportedly involved in an argument over payment at a tea stall located near a municipal ward office. His behaviour raised suspicion among Beat Marshal Dinesh Sanap and security guard Akshay Desai.

When questioned, Joseph failed to provide satisfactory answers, prompting officials to detain him and take him to Bolinj Police Station. During interrogation by Senior Police Inspector Prakash Kawale and PSI Navnath Kadam, he confessed to escaping from court custody.

Police officials confirmed his identity and extensive criminal record. Deputy Commissioner of Police Suhas Bavche stated that Joseph has a history of housebreaking and theft, along with offences under the POCSO Act. He had also been externed multiple times in the past, in 2007, 2012, 2019, and 2022.

Authorities are now investigating the circumstances that enabled his escape, even as they credit alert personnel for ensuring his swift arrest.

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