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Saturday,15-November-2025
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Maharashtra

Vasai-Virar News: Three GRP Constables Suspended For Extorting ₹5,000 From Passenger

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Mumbai: The Government Railway Police (GRP) suspended three police personnel on August 1 on charges of extortion passenger at Vasai Road Railway Station on June 6.

About The Suspension

The suspended personnel, who were on duty at the station, allegedly extorted Rs.5,000 from a woman passenger. They had initially demanded Rs.15,000 as a penalty for merely standing and talking on the foot overbridge. The suspended constables have been identified as Milind Satav, Sachin Valve, and Kiran Aavle.

According to the suspension letter, on the evening of June 13, the victim, Ashwin Prabhu, and his female friend were standing and conversing on the Foot Overbridge (FOB) at Vasai Road station. Despite no misconduct or unlawful activity on their part, they were approached by constables Milind Satav and Sachin Valve. The constables allegedly seized Prabhu’s mobile phone and took both individuals to the railway police chawki (a room within the Vasai Road railway station premises used by the Railway Police).

There are no CCTV cameras installed inside this police chawki. While in illegal detention, the personnel allegedly demanded a penalty of Rs.15,000 for standing and talking on the Foot Overbridge. Eventually, constable Kiran Aavle facilitated an online payment of Rs.5,000 via a scanner belonging to a money transfer agent outside Vasai Road station. The amount was extorted without issuing any official receipt or citing any legal provision under which the penalty was being imposed.

Following a formal complaint filed by Ashwin Prabhu, a departmental inquiry was conducted by the GRP authorities. The investigation found the allegations credible. Consequently, the three GRP personnel posted at Vasai Road Railway Station were suspended, as per the suspension order dated August 1. There is a possibility that other passengers may also have been subjected to similar extortion, though such cases remain unreported.

Railway commuter organisations have demanded the immediate installation of CCTV cameras in every room used by GRP personnel at all railway stations and terminals under the Mumbai Division, whether officially sanctioned or informally arranged. They also urged Indian Railways to implement similar surveillance and accountability measures across stations nationwide to deter harassment and victimisation of passengers. Such preventive steps, they said, are essential to restoring public trust and ensuring accountability within law enforcement units operating in public transport systems.

Social Worker, Sameer Zaveri’s Statement

Sameer Zaveri, a train accident victim and social worker, stated, “Incidents indicate usual modus operandi involves taking passengers by railway police into rooms where no CCTV coverage exists, and extorting money under threats of criminal prosecution. Such incidents bring a grave disrepute to the police force and destroy public trust. To prevent this menace, urgent measures are needed. Mandatory use of body cameras by all police personnel on duty at railway stations. Immediate dismissal from service of police personnel found guilty of extortion as well as departmental action against those in supervisory roles for failure to do prevention of such incidents time and again occurred. The public deserves protection, not harassment. It is time for accountability and strict action.”

Maharashtra

Byculla Redevelopment Site Accident Claims Two Lives

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Mumbai: A tragic incident occurred on saturday afternoon at the proposed redevelopment site of Habib Mansion in Byculla (West). During piling work, the ground suddenly caved in, resulting in the death of two labourers on the spot.

Two to three other workers suffered serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital. The accident took place at the Sundar Galli stretch between Haines Road and Tank Pakhadi Road, where redevelopment work is being undertaken by Ibrahim Jusab Sopariwala & Others. The project is linked to architects A2 Associates and Rajpurkar Associates, with ZZ Consultants reported as the structural advisors.

Local residents claimed that adequate safety measures were missing at the worksite, raising concerns about negligence. Police and BMC officials have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation.

Authorities said a detailed probe will determine whether safety protocols were violated during the redevelopment work.

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Maharashtra

NCB seizes city drugs, sets them on fire

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Zonal Unit of the Mumbai Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has disposed of about 1835 kg of Mephedrone along with 341 kg of other substances which were seized from various places in Maharashtra and Delhi. 16 persons were arrested in this case. A thorough investigation into the massive drug seizure led to the arrest of several persons including foreigners from various places, resulting in the elimination of close associates of the drug peddlers with international links.

As per the guidelines prescribed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, a high-level Drug Disposal Committee was constituted comprising Deputy Director General (SWR) of NCB, Additional Director, NCB Mumbai Zonal Unit and Additional Commissioner of Pune Police. The case was reviewed and it was selected to dispose of the drug hoard. Accordingly, all legal conditions were complied with after which the seized drugs along with other chemicals were finally destroyed by incineration in the presence of HLDCC on 14th November 2025 at Maple, Ranjangaon, Pune, Maharashtra.

This significant seizure of drugs followed by disposal of the sub-judices, indicates the continuous efforts of NCB in dismantling organised drug syndicates and targeting drug offenders who pollute the drug ecosystem. The Bureau is steadfast in its mission to protect public health and uphold the vision of “Nisha Mukt Bharat” by 2047.

NCB is firmly committed to ensuring a drug-free society under the guidance of which it has curbed drug trafficking, broken financial nexus and curbed inter-state and international drug syndicates.
Citizens are urged to play their role by reporting any information related to drugs through the MANS – National Narcotics Helpline (Toll Free Number: 1933). The identity of the informants is kept strictly confidential.

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Maharashtra

Three men accused of robbing a youth have been arrested The main accused was apprehended in Titwala.

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Mumbai: A young man returning home on a motorcycle in the Asalpha area of ​​Ghatkopar was attacked and forcibly robbed by three men who brandished a chopper. A case was registered at the Ghatkopar police station under sections 309(4), 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code, sections 4, 25 of the Indian Penal Code, and sections 37(1) and 135 of the Indian Penal Code.

The complainant, Suraj Mahadev Dethe (24), and his friend, Yash Kamble, were passing near the Home Guard Training Center at approximately 1:30 a.m. on November 12th when three unidentified individuals in a three-wheeled tempo stopped them. The accused, using the chopper as a pointer, assaulted them, abused them, and stole their Honda Dio scooter and mobile phone.

As soon as the case was registered, the Assistant Commissioner of Police and Senior Police Inspector of the Ghatkopar Division inspected the scene. Based on technical and traditional investigations, the accused identified Hussain Aslam Memon, alias Genda. Upon receiving information that he was hiding in the Titwala area, the police apprehended him. During interrogation, he revealed the names of his accomplices – Munna Ramvilas Sharma and Dilshaduddin Sitabuddin Shaikh – who were subsequently arrested.

On November 13, the three accused were produced in court, where they were remanded to police custody until November 17. The investigation also revealed that Genda is a notorious criminal with more than 13 cases registered against him in various police stations.

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