Ayen News

Author: news.ayen.in

  • Thane: Woman Brutally Assaults 3-Year-Old Adopted Daughter Over Neighborly Affection

    THANE (Saturday, March 7, 2026) — A woman from the Bapgaon area in Thane’s Bhiwandi taluka has been booked for a horrific assault on her three-year-old adopted daughter. The violence was reportedly triggered by a fit of “resentful rage” after the toddler addressed a female neighbor as “mother.”

    The Incident: A Neighbor’s Viral Video

    The abuse came to light only after a neighbor, witnessing the brutality, filmed the incident through a window and shared it on social media.

    • The Trigger: The accused woman was reportedly jealous of the child’s bond with a neighbor. When the girl called the neighbor “Aai” (mother), the woman allegedly lost her composure and launched a violent attack.
    • Details of the Assault: The viral footage shows a series of disturbing acts. The woman reportedly stripped the toddler, slammed her head against a wall multiple times, and forcibly stuffed dirt and chili powder into the child’s mouth and eyes.
    • The Rescue: Following an outcry on social media, the Padgha Police tracked the digital footprint to the Bapgaon locality. A team was dispatched immediately, and the three-year-old was rescued from the home on Friday evening.

    Current Status of the Victim and Accused

    The child is currently under the care of the District Child Protection Unit and is receiving medical treatment for her injuries.

    • Medical Condition: While the child is physically stable, doctors are monitoring her for potential internal head injuries and severe irritation caused by the chili powder in her eyes and respiratory tract.
    • Legal Action: The Padgha Police have registered a case against the mother under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
    • Adoption Probe: Authorities are also investigating the legality of the adoption process to determine if the couple had undergone the mandatory psychological screening and background checks required by CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority).
    Charges FiledDescription
    Section 115 BNSVoluntarily causing hurt.
    Section 118 BNSVoluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means.
    Section 75 JJ ActPunishment for cruelty to a child.

    Sources

    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “Woman booked for thrashing adopted daughter for calling neighbour ‘mother’” (March 7, 2026)
    • The Times of India: “Bhiwandi horror: Woman stuffs chilli powder in 3-yr-old’s mouth; rescued after video goes viral” (March 7, 2026)
    • Lokmat Times: “Thane: Cruel mother assaults adopted daughter over neighborly bond; Padgha Police take action” (March 7, 2026)
    • Mid-Day: “Child rescued in Thane after horrifying video of abuse surfaces online” (March 7, 2026)

  • Uttam Nagar Holi Clash: 7 Apprehended Following Death of 26-Year-Old

    NEW DELHI (Saturday, March 7, 2026) — Delhi Police have apprehended seven individuals, including one minor, in connection with the death of Tarun Kumar (26) following a violent clash between neighboring families in Uttam Nagar’s JJ Colony. The incident, which began over a water balloon on Holi (March 4), has led to heavy security deployment in the area after protests escalated into arson and road blockades.

    The Incident: From a Balloon to a Fatality

    According to police and eyewitness accounts, the violence was triggered by a seemingly minor event during Holi celebrations.

    • The Trigger: On the evening of March 4, an 11-year-old girl was reportedly throwing water balloons from her terrace. One balloon accidentally splashed water on a woman from a neighboring family belonging to a different community.
    • The Escalation: Despite an immediate apology from the girl’s family, a heated verbal spat broke out. Police state that both families—who have lived as neighbors for nearly 50 years and originally hail from Rajasthan—had a history of “persistent disputes” over issues like parking and garbage.
    • The Assault: Tarun’s family alleges that while the initial argument seemed to subside, a group of 10 to 12 people later “waylaid” Tarun as he was returning home on his motorcycle. He was brutally assaulted with sticks, rods, and stones.
    • The Death: Tarun, who was pursuing a course in digital marketing, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital on Thursday, March 5.

    Protests and Arson

    Following Tarun’s death, tensions surged in southwest Delhi:

    • Arson: On Friday, March 6, protesters set fire to a car and a motorcycle in the locality.
    • Road Blockades: Members of the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) staged a massive protest at the Uttam Nagar East metro station, bringing traffic to a standstill for several hours.
    • Security Deployment: To prevent communal escalation, a large contingent of Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel has been stationed in JJ Colony.

    Investigation and Arrests

    DCP (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh confirmed that the case has been upgraded to include charges of murder (Section 103) or culpable homicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

    StatusDetails
    Apprehended6 adults arrested; 1 juvenile apprehended.
    Injuries8 people injured in total (3 from Tarun’s family, 5 from the other).
    Police ActionCCTV footage is being reviewed to identify more participants in the lynching.
    Official StancePolice have urged residents not to give the incident a “communal color,” citing the long-standing personal enmity between the two families.

    Sources

    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “7 apprehended so far in connection with Uttam Nagar Holi clash: Delhi Police” (March 7, 2026)
    • The Hindu: “Uttam Nagar tense as man killed in clash amid Holi festivities; RAF deployed” (March 7, 2026)
    • Hindustan Times: “Delhi Holi death: 26-year-old lynched over water balloon; 7 arrested” (March 7, 2026)
    • Livemint: “Vehicles burnt, roads blocked: Protests in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar after man beaten to death” (March 7, 2026)

  • Gurugram: School Chairman Arrested for Fake CBSE Accreditation Scam

    GURUGRAM (Saturday, March 7, 2026) — Gurugram Police have arrested the chairman of Educrest International School, located in Sector 9B, for allegedly defrauding parents and students by falsely claiming the institution had CBSE accreditation for Class 9 and 10. The scam, which left dozens of students unable to sit for their national board exams, came to light last month when hall tickets were never issued.

    The Arrest and Interrogation

    On Friday, March 6, the Gurugram Police Crime Branch (Manesar unit) arrested Vinay Kataria (38), the chairman of the school, from the Bilaspur area.

    • The Confession: During interrogation, Kataria admitted that while the school has been operational for eight years, its valid CBSE affiliation only extended up to Class 8.
    • The Deception: To maximize profits, he reportedly fabricated accreditation documents and a fake affiliation number to enroll 25 students into Class 9 and 10.
    • Absconding Accused: Police are still searching for three other officials named in the FIR: Principal Riddhima Kataria, Vice Principal Simar Batra, and Coordinator Sonia.

    How the Scam Collapsed

    The fraud was exposed on February 17, 2026, when 11 students realized they would miss their CBSE Class 10 Mathematics exam because the school failed to provide admit cards.

    1. “Adjustment” Failure: The school reportedly tried to “adjust” these students by showing them on the rolls of a partner school in Delhi. However, that Delhi school was recently de-affiliated, causing the arrangement to collapse.
    2. Parental Discovery: When parents confronted the management, they found the school’s registration number on the official CBSE portal was nonexistent or falsified.
    3. Last-Minute Change: Following a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, nine of the affected students were allowed to sit for the Haryana Board exams instead, despite having studied the CBSE curriculum all year.

    Legal Charges

    An FIR was registered at the Sector 9A Police Station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):

    SectionOffense
    Section 318(4)Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
    Section 316(2)Criminal breach of trust.
    Section 3(5)Joint liability (acts done with common intention).

    Sources

    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “Gurugram school defrauds students by fake CBSE accreditation; chairman arrested” (March 7, 2026)
    • The Times of India: “Gurgaon school fails to get admit cards, Class 10 students miss first CBSE paper” (February 18, 2026)
    • Hindustan Times: “Educrest International School Chairman Vinay Kataria arrested in CBSE fraud case” (March 7, 2026)
    • Live Hindustan: “गुरुग्राम: फर्जी मान्यता दिखाकर 10वीं में एडमिशन, स्कूल चेयरमैन गिरफ्तार” (March 7, 2026)
    • The Economic Times: “Gurgaon: Class 10 students miss board exam after school’s affiliation found fake” (February 19, 2026)

  • High Court Acquits Ram Rahim in Journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati Murder Case

    CHANDIGARH (Saturday, March 7, 2026) — In a major legal victory for Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has acquitted him in the 2002 murder case of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. The decision comes more than seven years after a special CBI court had sentenced the sect head to life imprisonment for the crime.

    The High Court Verdict

    A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Aggarwal delivered the judgment on Saturday morning, allowing the appeals filed by the Dera chief against his 2019 conviction.

    • Grounds for Acquittal: While the detailed judgment is awaited, the bench observed that the prosecution failed to prove the conspiracy charges against Ram Rahim beyond reasonable doubt.
    • Mixed Outcome: Notably, the court upheld the conviction and life sentences of the other three accused—Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Krishan Lal—ruling that the evidence against the actual shooters remained solid.
    • Legal Parity: The defense argued that Ram Rahim was not named in the initial 2002 chargesheet and that the “conspiracy” theory was built years later based on unreliable witness testimonies.

    Background: The 2002 Murder

    The case stems from the killing of Ram Chander Chhatrapati, the editor of the evening daily Poora Sach.

    • The Trigger: Chhatrapati was the first to publish an anonymous letter from a sadhvi (female follower) alleging widespread sexual exploitation of women at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa.
    • The Attack: On October 24, 2002, two men on a motorcycle shot Chhatrapati at point-blank range outside his home. He succumbed to his injuries four weeks later.
    • The 2019 Conviction: A special CBI court in Panchkula had found Ram Rahim guilty as the “main conspirator” who orchestrated the hit to silence the journalist.
    Case MilestoneDate
    Murder of ChhatrapatiOctober 2002
    CBI TakeoverNovember 2003
    Rape Conviction (20 Years)August 2017
    CBI Court Murder ConvictionJanuary 2019
    High Court AcquittalMarch 7, 2026

    Current Legal Status

    Despite this acquittal, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will remain in Sunaria Jail, Rohtak, due to his other convictions:

    1. Rape Cases: He is serving a 20-year rigorous imprisonment for the rape of two female disciples.
    2. Ranjit Singh Murder Case: Although he was acquitted by the High Court in the Ranjit Singh murder case in May 2024, the CBI has challenged that acquittal in the Supreme Court.

    Reaction from the Victim’s Family

    Anshul Chhatrapati, the son of the slain journalist who fought the legal battle for 24 years, termed the verdict a “major setback.” He confirmed that the family would move the Supreme Court of India to challenge the acquittal, stating, “The main culprit has been let off; our struggle for justice will continue in the highest court.”

    Sources

    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh acquitted in journalist murder case” (March 7, 2026)
    • The Hindu: “Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim acquitted in journalist murder case” (March 7, 2026)
    • Live Law: “Punjab & Haryana High Court Acquits Dera Chief in Chhatrapati Murder Case” (March 7, 2026)
    • The Indian Express: “High Court acquits Ram Rahim in Chhatrapati murder case; son to move SC” (March 7, 2026)
    • Hindustan Times: “Dera chief acquitted in 2002 journalist murder case by Punjab and Haryana HC” (March 7, 2026)

  • Rohit Pawar Files Discharge Plea in MSCB Bank Case Citing Closure of Main Offense

    MUMBAI (Friday, March 6, 2026) — Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar has moved a discharge application before a special PMLA court in Mumbai. The application, filed through his legal counsel, seeks to drop all money laundering charges linked to the alleged Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSCB) scam.

    The Legal Argument: Lack of “Predicate Offense”

    The core of Rohit Pawar’s discharge plea rests on a fundamental principle of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA): for a money laundering case to exist, there must be an active underlying (predicate) criminal offense.

    • The EOW Closure: In early 2024, the Mumbai Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) filed a Closure Report (C-Summary) in the original cheating and fraud case, stating that no cognizable offense was made out against the accused directors and officers of the MSCB.
    • The Defense’s Stance: Advocate Kushal Mor argued that since the primary case by the EOW—which served as the basis for the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) probe—has been closed and accepted by the court, the ED’s money laundering case cannot legally stand.
    • Supreme Court Precedent: The plea cites the landmark Vijay Madanlal Choudhary judgment, which ruled that if a person is acquitted or discharged in the predicate offense, the PMLA proceedings must also be quashed.

    Context: The MSCB Sugar Mill Allegations

    The investigation involves the alleged fraudulent sale of Sahakari Sakhar Karkhanas (SSKs) or cooperative sugar mills.

    Investigation DetailDescription
    The AllegationMSCB officials allegedly sold sick sugar mills at “throwaway prices” to private entities linked to influential politicians without following open auction procedures.
    The Rohit Pawar LinkThe ED’s probe focuses on Kannad SSK, which was purchased by Baramati Agro (a company controlled by Rohit Pawar) for approximately ₹50 crore.
    ED’s ClaimThe agency alleged that the auction was rigged and that Baramati Agro utilized “proceeds of crime” to acquire the asset.
    Current AssetsIn early 2024, the ED provisionally attached assets worth ₹50.20 crore belonging to Kannad SSK.

    What Happens Next?

    The special court has directed the Enforcement Directorate to file its formal response to Rohit Pawar’s discharge application.

    • Hearing Date: The matter is likely to be heard later this month.
    • Wider Impact: This case is closely watched as it involves several high-profile Maharashtra politicians across party lines. If the discharge is granted, it could set a precedent for other co-accused in the multi-crore bank scam.

    Sources

    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank ‘scam’ case: Rohit Pawar moves discharge application” (March 6, 2026)
    • The Times of India: “MSCB Case: Rohit Pawar seeks discharge citing EOW closure report” (March 6, 2026)
    • Hindustan Times: “ED attachments and the Baramati Agro link in MSCB scam” (January 15, 2026)
    • Bar and Bench: “PMLA Court seeks ED’s reply on Rohit Pawar’s discharge plea” (March 7, 2026)

  • Delhi Court Grants Bail to Last Accused in Turkman Gate Demolition Violence

    NEW DELHI (Friday, March 6, 2026) — A Delhi Sessions Court has granted bail to Shahnawaz Alam, the final accused person remaining in judicial custody in connection with the stone-pelting incident that occurred during a demolition drive near the Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque in Turkman Gate this past January.

    The Ruling: Principle of Parity

    Additional Sessions Judge Bhupinder Singh allowed the bail application, emphasizing that the legal principle of parity must apply.

    • The Order: In the ruling dated February 28, the court noted that there were no distinguishing circumstances between Alam’s role and that of the 19 other accused who had already been granted bail earlier in the month.
    • Conditions: Alam was released on a personal bond of ₹50,000 with one surety of a similar amount.
    • Judicial Observation: The court observed that since the investigation against the co-accused was at a similar stage and they had been granted relief, keeping the last accused in custody would be inconsistent with judicial fairness.

    Context: The Turkman Gate Incident

    The violence erupted in mid-January 2026 during a demolition exercise conducted by civic authorities near the historic Turkman Gate area.

    Event DetailDescription
    LocationVicinity of Faiz-e-Elahi Mosque, Turkman Gate, Old Delhi.
    TriggerResistance to a demolition drive against alleged unauthorized structures.
    The ViolenceA minor scuffle escalated into heavy stone-pelting, resulting in injuries to several police personnel and municipal workers.
    Legal ActionDelhi Police registered an FIR under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rioting, obstructing public servants, and damaging public property.

    Current Status of the Case

    With Shahnawaz Alam’s release, all 20 individuals arrested in the immediate aftermath of the January riots are now out on bail. However, the Delhi Police are continuing their technical investigation, using CCTV footage and facial recognition to identify other “instigators” who may have fled the scene during the initial crackdown.

    Sources

    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “Turkman Gate violence: Delhi court grants bail to last accused in judicial custody” (March 6, 2026)
    • The Indian Express: “Old Delhi Demolition Violence: Final accused gets bail on parity” (March 6, 2026)
    • Bar and Bench: “Delhi Court grants bail to 20th accused in Turkman Gate stone-pelting case” (March 5, 2026)
    • Millat Times: “Relief for Turkman Gate residents as last youth in custody gets bail” (March 6, 2026)

  • CAT Rules Kerala Excise Commissioner Must Be an IAS Officer

    KOCHI (Friday, March 6, 2026) — In a landmark 112-page judgment, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Ernakulam Bench, ruled that the post of Excise Commissioner in Kerala is an IAS cadre post and cannot be held by non-IAS officers. The tribunal’s decision, delivered by Judicial Member Justice Sunil Thomas and Administrative Member V. Rama Mathew, mandated that if such cadre posts are held by non-IAS or retired IAS officers, they “shall stand removed forthwith.”

    Impact on Current Leadership

    The ruling directly affects the current administrative setup of the Kerala government, particularly the tenure of senior IPS officer M.R. Ajith Kumar.

    • Removal of ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar: The tribunal specifically declared the appointment of current Excise Commissioner M.R. Ajith Kumar—an IPS officer—as illegal. He must be removed from the post immediately, and the position must remain vacant until a serving IAS officer is appointed.
    • Wider Administrative Reshuffle: Beyond the Excise Department, the CAT identified several other key institutions where appointments were found to be in violation of the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 2014:
      • IMG Director General: Currently held by Tinku Biswal (serving IAS), but the tribunal criticized the previous “clandestine redesignation” that allowed retired IAS officer K. Jayakumar to hold a similar role.
      • KILA Director: The post of Director at the Kerala Institute of Local Administration was also declared an IAS cadre post. The appointment of Joy Elamon (a non-IAS officer) was questioned.

    Key Judicial Observations

    The CAT’s order came following a petition by the Kerala IAS Association, which alleged that the state government was bypassing cadre rules for political reasons.

    IssueTribunal’s Observation
    Excise RoleThe Excise Commissioner manages revenue and administration under the Taxes Department, functions that are not exclusive to police expertise.
    Cadre IntegrityFilling cadre posts by renaming or redesignating them is a “fraud on the law” and a “colourable exercise of executive functions.”
    Civil Services BoardThe state must convene the Civil Services Board (CSB) for all IAS transfers and postings, a practice the petitioners alleged had been dismantled since 2015.
    Minimum TenureRe-emphasized the Supreme Court’s mandate that civil servants should generally be given a two-year minimum tenure to ensure stability.

    Quashed Transfer Orders

    The tribunal also quashed three specific transfer orders involving senior IAS officers, including that of Dr. B. Ashok, who currently serves as the Agricultural Production Commissioner and Principal Secretary. The bench ordered that these officers be restored to their previous positions if the 2014 rules were not followed during their shifting.

    Sources

    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “Kerala Excise Commissioner post should be filled with IAS officer: CAT” (March 6, 2026)
    • The New Indian Express: “CAT: Kerala Excise commissioner post only for IAS officers” (March 7, 2026)
    • Onmanorama: “CAT censures govt for appointing IPS officers as excise commissioners” (March 6, 2026)
    • Kerala Kaumudi: “Setback for govt; CAT intervenes in transfer of IAS officers” (March 6, 2026)
    • The Hindu: “Non-IAS officers must not be posted in cadre posts, says CAT” (March 6, 2026)

  • Mumbai Accident: JJB Grants Bail to Teen After Father Released on Bond

    MUMBAI (Friday, March 6, 2026) — A Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) has granted bail to a 17-year-old boy involved in a fatal car accident that occurred in February near Somaiya College in Vidyavihar. The decision comes just two days after a Mumbai Sessions Court granted bail to the teenager’s father, Valaji Raja Bhushan, a 43-year-old businessman.

    Chronology of the Case

    The incident has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the “digital arrest” and reckless driving allegations.

    • February 5, 2026: A Kia Seltos SUV, allegedly driven by the minor at high speed, collided with a scooter. The rider, Dhrumil Patel (33), sustained critical injuries, while his wife Meenal was also seriously hurt.
    • February 15, 2026: Dhrumil Patel succumbed to his injuries after ten days on life support. Following his death, police upgraded the charges to Culpable Homicide not amounting to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
    • March 4, 2026: The Sessions Court granted bail to the father, noting that prima facie he had no knowledge that his son had taken the car keys from the building watchman on the night of the crash.
    • March 6, 2026: The JJB granted bail to the minor. While the detailed order is awaited, the teen had previously been granted temporary relief to appear for his Class 12 board exams.

    Legal Arguments and Contention

    The bail was fiercely opposed by the victim’s family, represented by advocate Ruben Mascarenhas.

    • Social Media Evidence: The prosecution presented videos from the minor’s Instagram account showing him performing dangerous stunts, including driving a car while hanging out of the window. They argued this proved a pattern of reckless behavior known to the parents.
    • Settlement Allegations: During the hearings, claims surfaced that the accused’s family offered ₹40 lakh as “blood money” to settle the case, while the defense alleged the victim’s side had demanded ₹15 crore.
    • Next Legal Step: Advocate Mascarenhas has stated that the victim’s family intends to challenge the JJB’s bail order before the Bombay High Court.

    Sources

    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “Mumbai: JJB grants bail to teen in car accident case” (March 6, 2026)
    • The Times of India: “Mumbai crash row: Teen’s father gets bail; Rs 40 lakh offer claim surface in court” (March 5, 2026)
    • Hindustan Times: “Father gets bail in fatal Ghatkopar SUV crash; JJB follows suit for minor” (March 6, 2026)
    • NDTV Profit: “Mumbai Hit-and-Run Case: Teen Driver Gets Bail Citing Class 12 Board Exams” (February 16, 2026)

  • Human Remains Found Beneath Alappuzha-Dhanbad Express Coach

    ALAPPUZHA (Saturday, March 7, 2026) — Railway Police in Alappuzha have launched an intensive multi-state investigation after cleaning staff discovered severed human body parts lodged beneath a coach of the Alappuzha–Dhanbad Express early Saturday morning. The grim discovery has triggered a case of unnatural death as authorities work to determine how the remains became entangled in the train’s undercarriage.

    Details of the Discovery

    The body parts were spotted around 6:30 AM while the train was parked at the pit-line yard for routine maintenance and cleaning.

    • What was found: A human right arm and a toe (finger of a foot).
    • Location: The remains were found resting on an iron bracket positioned directly under the auxiliary reservoir tank of the S-5 coach.
    • Train History: The train (No. 13351/13352) had arrived in Alappuzha from Dhanbad, Jharkhand, on Friday evening. It was being prepared for its return journey on Saturday morning when the staff made the discovery.

    The Investigation Strategy

    The Railway Police have registered an FIR for unnatural death and are focusing on the extensive rail corridor between Kerala and Jharkhand to pinpoint the location of a potential accident.

    • Multi-State Coordination: Alappuzha police are reaching out to law enforcement agencies in states along the route—including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and West Bengal—to check for reported trackside fatalities or missing persons over the last 48 hours.
    • Forensic Analysis: An inquest has been conducted, and the remains have been sent for DNA analysis and autopsy to determine the victim’s gender, age, and the approximate time of death.
    • Route Scan: Investigators are scanning railway track data for any reported “cattle hits” or “unknown obstructions” that might actually have been a human collision during the train’s 2,300 km journey.

    Previous Incidents in Alappuzha (2025–2026)

    This is not the first such incident in the region. Recent history shows a pattern of remains being discovered after being dragged by long-distance trains:

    • November 2025: A severed human leg was found on Track No. 2 at Alappuzha station. It was later linked to a victim who had died in a train accident in Kannur, nearly 250 km away.
    • August 2025: An infant’s body was found abandoned in a toilet trash bin on the same Alappuzha–Dhanbad Express, leading to a major investigation into passengers of the S-3 and S-4 coaches.

    Sources

    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “Human body parts found under train coach in Kerala’s Alappuzha” (March 7, 2026)
    • The Economic Times: “Human body parts found beneath Alappuzha-Dhanbad Express coach; probe launched” (March 7, 2026)
    • Rediff News: “Police Investigate Discovery of Human Remains Under Alappuzha-Dhanbad Express” (March 7, 2026)
    • Vartha Bharathi: “Human remains found under S-5 coach in Alappuzha pit-line yard” (March 7, 2026)
    • Onmanorama: “Multi-state probe to identify remains found under Dhanbad Express” (March 7, 2026)

  • Police Arrest Gunman After High-Speed Chase in Thane Shooting Case

    THANE (Saturday, March 7, 2026) — A midnight attack on the residence of social media influencer and businessman Nadeem Moinuddin Khan (45), popularly known as Baba Khan, led to a dramatic police chase and shootout in Thane early Saturday morning. While the initial attack caused no injuries, two innocent bystanders were wounded during the subsequent pursuit of the suspect.

    The Initial Attack in Mumbra

    The incident began around 4:00 AM at a housing society in the Kausa area of Mumbra, where Khan resides.

    • The Firing: Two unidentified miscreants arrived at the gate of the society and opened fire.
    • Damage: While no individuals were hit during this initial encounter, a car belonging to Khan was slightly damaged by the gunfire.
    • Motive: Khan, who has a significant social media following and business interests, had reportedly received threats previously, which are now a central part of the investigation.

    The High-Speed Chase and Arrest

    Following a technical lead, Thane City Police tracked one of the suspects to the Shil Daighar area just hours after the initial shooting.

    • Resistance: As the police team moved in to apprehend him, the suspect, identified as Shahabad alias Shambhu Munna Shamshad Qureshi (28), attempted to flee.
    • The Shootout: During the chase on the streets of Shil Daighar, Qureshi allegedly fired five shots at the pursuing officers to evade capture.
    • Bystanders Wounded: While the police remained unhurt, two bystanders were struck by the suspect’s bullets during the exchange. They were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.
    • Apprehension: Despite the violent resistance, the police successfully overpowered and arrested Qureshi. A firearm and ammunition were recovered from his possession.

    Legal Action and Investigation

    The Thane City Police have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.

    CategoryStatus
    ArrestedShahabad alias Shambhu Munna Shamshad Qureshi (28)
    Search OperationsManhunt ongoing for the second unidentified accomplice
    ChargesAttempt to murder, voluntarily causing hurt, and illegal possession of arms
    EvidenceRecovered firearm and CCTV footage from the Kausa housing society

    Senior officials stated that they are investigating whether the attack was a result of business rivalry or a personal dispute related to Khan’s social media activities.

    Sources

    • Press Trust of India (PTI): “Man held for firing at social media influencer’s housing society in Thane; 2 hurt in chase” (March 7, 2026)
    • The Times of India: “Gunman arrested after chase following firing at Mumbra influencer’s home” (March 7, 2026)
    • Mid-Day: “Thane: Two injured as police chase and arrest man who fired at Baba Khan’s house” (March 7, 2026)
    • Lokmat Times: “Firing in Mumbra: One arrested after dramatic chase in Shil Daighar” (March 7, 2026)