Mumbai: The Mumbai Municipal Corporation has invited tenders for the auction of a strategic plot in Worli and the auction should be stopped till the state government completes its investigation into irregularities in the reconstruction of a testing laboratory on it, demanded Samajwadi Party MLA Raees Shaikh. Shaikh has written a letter to Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and Commissioner Ashwini Bhide in this regard. Speaking in this regard, MLA Raees Shaikh said that the municipality should formulate an auction policy in consultation with group leaders of all parties in the municipal corporation to avoid such unplanned auctions. The municipality had floated the tender despite the state government ordering an inquiry into the redevelopment work in Worli. MLA Shaikh added that the issue was raised during the recently concluded budget session of the state legislature and brought to light irregularities in the tender floated for the reconstruction of the municipal testing laboratory located at the site. Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Mishal has directed a high-level inquiry through senior officials. MLA Raees Shaikh said that going ahead with the auction during the inquiry is tantamount to insulting the state government, hence we have demanded that the auction be stopped till the inquiry is completed. MLA Raees Shaikh also expressed concern over the “temporary” decisions taken by the municipal corporation regarding the auction of public lands. He has also demanded a comprehensive and transparent auction policy from the municipal corporation. Shaikh said in a letter sent to the mayor and commissioner, “The auction should be stopped until the inquiry is completed and its findings are made public. Consultations should be initiated with the group leaders of all political parties in the municipal corporation to formulate a uniform auction policy for municipal corporation properties.”

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Cyber ​​Department has claimed to have arrested two people on charges of promoting fake Indian currency on Instagram accounts and has registered 4 FIRs in this case. Fake Indian currency was promoted on several Instagram accounts and not only that, details were also provided for obtaining this currency. In this, the Cyber ​​Department has issued notices to several Instagram accounts and sought their response. Along with this, two FIRs have been registered in Jalgaon district of Buldhana under the Information Technology Act and other sections including cheating. During the investigation, Maharashtra Cyber ​​has arrested Rahul Anil Pawar and Yogita Hitesh Bhosale. Both the accused had made fake currency viral on Instagram accounts and were found involved in illegal activities. Maharashtra Cyber ​​is monitoring the activities of various social media platforms including Instagram. An increase in the promotion and circulation of fake notes has also been found on Telegram, which is why such accounts have also been identified. Fake Indian currency is useful for terrorist activities and terrorist organizations spread fake currency. The cyber cell is fully alert in this matter and is keeping a watch on such accounts which are involved in illegal activities. More arrests have not been ruled out in this matter. Maharashtra Cyber ​​has advised the public to be cautious in this regard and said that they should stay away from such accounts and activities.

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.