Author: news.ayen.in

THANE (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) — Thane Police have made a significant breakthrough in an inter-state female egg smuggling racket with the arrest of Dr. Amol Patil, a dentist from Nashik. Dr. Patil, who operates the Malti IVF Center in the Mumbai Naka area of Nashik, is accused of facilitating illegal surrogate mother contracts and unauthorized egg extractions at a facility officially registered in his wife’s name.

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The Modus Operandi

The racket targeted financially vulnerable women from areas like Badlapur, Ulhasnagar, and Thane, luring them with payments of ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 per cycle.

• Identity Forgery: The gang used fake Aadhaar cards to register a single woman under multiple identities. This allowed them to bypass the legal limit set by the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Act, which restricts egg donation to only once in a lifetime.
• Medical Exploitation: Reports suggest that over 500 women may have been exploited. In some extreme cases, a single woman was allegedly forced to undergo egg retrieval as many as 33 times, posing severe long-term health risks.
• Commercialization: While donors received a small sum, the extracted eggs were reportedly sold to wealthy recipients for lakhs of rupees.

Police Action and Seizures

With Dr. Patil’s arrest, the total number of individuals in custody has risen to six. He has been remanded to police custody until March 9, 2026.

• Raids: Police teams led by DCP Sachin Gore (Ulhasnagar) have seized medicines and hormonal injections worth over ₹15 lakh from residential premises used by the gang.
• Digital Evidence: Authorities discovered photos of hundreds of women, fake sonography reports, and fraudulent affidavits on the mobile phones of the arrested accused.
• The “Mastermind”: While six have been caught, police are currently conducting raids across Maharashtra to apprehend the primary mastermind behind the operation.

Legislative and Health Response

The case has sparked outrage in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, leading to immediate government intervention:

1. District-Level Panels: The state has ordered the formation of committees (comprising the SP and Civil Surgeon) to inspect all 860 IVF centers in Maharashtra.
2. Registration Cancellation: Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe has directed that the medical registrations of the involved doctors be formally cancelled through the Indian Medical Council.
3. MCOCA: The state government is considering invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) given the scale and organized nature of the racket.

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Key Accused in Custody

The following individuals are currently under investigation:

• Dr. Amol Patil (Director, Malti IVF Center)
• Sulakshana Gadekar (Alleged recruiter/agent)
• Ashwini Chabukswar
• Manjusha Wankhede
• Sonal Garewal
• Sumit Sonkamble

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Sources

• Press Trust of India (PTI): “Female egg smuggling racket: Dentist held for using Nashik IVF facility” (March 4, 2026)
• The Times of India: “Badlapur egg extraction racket: Nashik doctor arrested; Council orders crackdown” (March 5, 2026)
• The Hindu: “Maharashtra Health Minister promises strict action in Thane egg-donation racket” (February 23, 2026)
• ABP Majha: “Badlapur Uterine Eggs Selling Racket: Director of Malti IVF Center arrested” (March 4, 2026)
• Hindustan Times: “Investigation reveals fake Aadhaar cards used in interstate egg smuggling” (March 4, 2026)

MUMBAI (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) — A Mumbai Sessions Court has granted bail to Valaji Raja Bhushan, a 43-year-old businessman, whose 17-year-old son was involved in a fatal car crash last month. The court observed that, prima facie, there was no evidence to suggest the father had knowledge of his son taking the vehicle out for a drive on the night of the incident.

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The Accident and Legal Charges

The crash occurred late on the night of February 5, 2026, near Gate No. 3 of Somaiya College in the Ghatkopar area.

• The Collision: A Kia Seltos, allegedly driven by the minor, rammed into a scooter carrying Dhrumil Patel (33) and his wife, Meenal.
• The Impact: Dhrumil Patel succumbed to severe head injuries on February 15 after ten days on life support. Meenal survived with serious injuries.
• Charges: Following the death, police added charges of Culpable Homicide not amounting to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alongside sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. The father was arrested on February 10 for allegedly allowing his unlicensed son to drive.

The Turning Point: The Watchman’s Statement

Additional Sessions Judge R.M. Jadhav primarily relied on the testimony of the security guard at the businessman’s residence to grant the ₹50,000 bail.

• The Key Exchange: The guard stated that Bhushan had parked the SUV and handed over the keys at 9:30 PM. Later, at approximately 10:15 PM, the minor son approached the guard and asked for the keys.
• Lack of Consent: The guard admitted to handing over the keys without questioning the teenager because he was the owner’s son. The court noted that when the father later discovered the car missing, he inquired with the guard, supporting the defense’s claim that the vehicle was taken without his permission.

“Prima facie, the material on record thus goes to show that the applicant/accused was not having knowledge of the fact that at the time of incident his son took the vehicle.” — Judge R.M. Jadhav

Opposition from the Victim’s Family

The bail was strongly opposed by Meenal Patel and her legal team, represented by advocate Ruben Mascarenhas.

• Social Media Evidence: The prosecution pointed to the minor’s Instagram account, which reportedly featured videos of him performing dangerous stunts on motorcycles and driving recklessly. They argued the father must have been aware of these habits.
• “Blood Money” Allegations: The victim’s family claimed they were offered ₹40 lakh to settle the case. The defense countered that they had offered to cover medical expenses as a humanitarian gesture while the victim’s side had allegedly demanded ₹15 crore.

Bail Conditions

The court has imposed strict restrictions on Valaji Raja Bhushan:

1. Travel Ban: He is prohibited from entering the Ghatkopar area until the trial concludes.
2. Reporting: He must report to the Tilak Nagar Police Station twice a week for the first month.
3. Surrender: He was directed to surrender his passport and must not leave Mumbai without the court’s permission.

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Sources

• Press Trust of India (PTI): “‘Father didn’t know minor son took car’, says court, grants bail to businessman” (March 4, 2026)
• The Times of India: “He did not have knowledge son took vehicle: Bail to father in teen’s car accident” (March 4, 2026)
• Hindustan Times: “Father gets bail in fatal Ghatkopar SUV crash; Court relies on guard’s statement” (March 5, 2026)
• Deccan Herald: “Mumbai accident case: Court grants bail to businessman in crash involving minor” (March 4, 2026)
• Devdiscourse: “Mumbai Businessman Granted Bail in Fatal Car Accident Case” (March 5, 2026)

ITANAGAR (Thursday, March 5, 2026) — A 54-year-old tourist from West Bengal was apprehended in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday for allegedly stealing a Buddha idol and other sacred items from the Tawang Monastery and the Giant Buddha Statue Park. The theft, which took place earlier this week, was captured on CCTV, and the footage subsequently went viral on social media, aiding the police in their investigation.

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Incident and Recovery

The individual had arrived in Tawang with his wife on March 2 for a vacation. According to Tawang Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kato Tasso, the man targeted two of the most revered religious sites in the region:

• Stolen Items: A Buddha idol was taken from the Tawang Monastery (the largest monastery in India), while a pair of Tingsha cymbals and two metal butter lamps were stolen from the Giant Buddha Statue Park.
• The Investigation: After the CCTV footage surfaced, local police launched a hunt and tracked the couple down on Wednesday morning.
• Valuation: The stolen articles were estimated to be worth between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000.

Resolution and Pardon

In a display of traditional Buddhist compassion, the monastery administration and the caretaker of the Buddha Park decided not to pursue a formal criminal case against the tourist.

• Apology: The man reportedly tendered an unconditional apology to the monks and the local community, claiming he acted out of a misguided desire to keep the items as personal “souvenirs.”
• Police Action: While no FIR was registered following the recovery of the items, the police obtained a written undertaking from the individual. He was issued a stern warning that any future actions offending religious sentiments would lead to severe legal consequences.

Context: Rising Security Concerns

The incident has reignited discussions regarding security at religious sites in Tawang. Local community leaders have recently expressed concerns over “outsiders” disrespecting the cultural fabric of the region.

• Previous Incidents: This follows a similar theft at the Kinmay Monastery in January 2026, which led to calls for stricter enforcement of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system and more thorough verification of tourists.

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Sources

• Press Trust of India (PTI): “Tourist from West Bengal caught stealing Buddha idol from Tawang Monastery” (March 5, 2026)
• Rediff News: “Tourist Nabbed for Theft at Tawang Monastery and Buddha Park” (March 5, 2026)
• National Herald: “Tourist from West Bengal caught stealing Buddha idol from Tawang Monastery” (March 5, 2026)
• Arunachal Observer: “Security concerns rise in Tawang after monastery thefts” (January 12, 2026)

SITAMARHI (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) — A pall of gloom has descended over Kurhar village in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district after four members of a single family died on Tuesday evening. The victims reportedly inhaled toxic fumes while attempting to clean a septic tank at their residence.

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The Incident in Kurhar Village

The tragedy occurred around 6:00 PM on Tuesday within the jurisdiction of the Bokhra police station. According to local officials and eyewitnesses, the sequence of events was a desperate chain reaction:

• Initial Entry: One family member entered the newly constructed or recently opened septic tank to clean it but became unconscious almost immediately due to the buildup of lethal gases (likely hydrogen sulfide and methane).
• Attempted Rescues: Seeing him collapse, three other family members entered the tank one after another in a frantic attempt to rescue him. All three were also overwhelmed by the toxic atmosphere.
• Casualties: By the time local villagers realized the gravity of the situation and pulled them out, all four had succumbed to the fumes.

The Deceased Have Been Identified As:

1. Rajeev Sahni
2. Krishna Kumar
3. Ravindra Sahni
4. Vinay Sahni

Official Response and Compensation

Bokhra Police Station in-charge and local administrative officials reached the spot shortly after the incident. The bodies were sent to the Sitamarhi Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death.

• Ex-Gratia: Following the state government’s policy for accidental deaths, the district administration has initiated the process to provide an ex-gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh to the next of kin for each of the deceased.
• Safety Warnings: Authorities have once again issued a stern advisory to villagers against entering septic tanks or deep manholes without professional safety gear and proper ventilation, as “sewer gas” can be fatal within seconds.

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Sources

• Press Trust of India (PTI): “Bihar: Four of family die after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning septic tank” (March 4, 2026)
• The Times of India: “Four of a family die after inhaling toxic gas in Sitamarhi” (March 4, 2026)
• Hindustan: “सीতামঢ়ী: সেপটিক ট্যাঙ্ক পরিষ্কার করতে গিয়ে বিষাক্ত গ্যাসে ৪ জনের মৃত্যু” (March 4, 2026)
• NDTV: “4 Family Members Die Inhaling Toxic Gas In Bihar Septic Tank” (March 4, 2026)

MEERUT (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) — A complex murder investigation in Meerut has taken a dramatic turn as the woman found dead in the Mawana area on February 21 has been identified not as an Indian national, but as a citizen of Turkmenistan. The case, which initially appeared to be a local dispute, has now exposed a potential cross-border “flesh trade” network and a significant lapse in the initial police identification.

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From Mistaken Identity to Global Investigation

When the body was first discovered near Bhagwati Farm House on the Meerut-Bijnor highway, police found a disfigured face and an Aadhaar card identifying the victim as Archita Arora from Delhi (originally Ambala). Based on this, they arrested four men and declared the case “solved.”

• The Challenge: On February 25, two women—one from Turkmenistan and one from Uzbekistan—approached the Mawana police. They asserted that the deceased was actually Najmudinova Muhabbat Sunatovna, a 40-year-old Turkmenistan national who had been living in India for roughly 15 years.
• The Confirmation: Muhabbat’s mother, Gulnara Sunatovna, identified her daughter via video call from Turkmenistan, recognizing her earrings and distinctive tattoos on her hand and waist (which the accused had tried to burn with acid to prevent identification).
• The Forged Identity: Investigation revealed that Muhabbat’s original passport had expired in 2019 and was likely held by middlemen. She had been living under the fake identity of “Archita Arora” using a forged Aadhaar card.

The Crime and the Arrests

Superintendent of Police (Rural) Abhijeet Kumar confirmed that despite the identity mix-up, the four men previously arrested remain the primary suspects.

Accused	Role	Current Status
Chanchal Kumar (alias Bunty)	Operator of Avika Hotel, Partapur	Arrested (Feb 26)
Gurmukh (alias Arvind)	Associate	Arrested (Feb 26)
Sandeep (alias Sittu)	Associate	Arrested (Feb 26)
Vivek (alias Kaka)	Associate	Arrested (Feb 26)

The Motive: Cops state a dispute over money occurred while the group was drinking at Avika Hotel. When Muhabbat allegedly threatened to file a “false rape case” against them, the men smothered her with a blanket, transported her body in a car, and doused her face and hands with acid to hide her identity before dumping her in Mawana.

Diplomatic Involvement

The Meerut police have now reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Turkmenistan Embassy to verify documents and manage the repatriation of the victim’s remains (currently cremated ash). The mother has authorized her associate, Aziza, to take custody of the remains.

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Sources

• Press Trust of India (PTI): “Meerut: Dead woman turns out to be foreign national; mistaken identity leads police to arrest 4” (March 4, 2026)
• Times of India: “Woman found dead in UP turns out to be ‘Turkmenistan citizen’” (March 3, 2026)
• Hindustan Times: “Woman from Turkmenistan killed, four arrested in Meerut” (March 3, 2026)
• Jagran: “जिसे समझ रहे थे भारत की अर्चिता, वह निकली तुর্কमेनिस्तान की मोहब्बत” (March 3, 2026)
• Rediff News: “Turkmenistan National Found Dead in Meerut: Identity and Investigation Updates” (March 4, 2026)

KOLKATA (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) — A festive celebration turned into a tragedy in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Tuesday as three members of a family drowned and a fourth person went missing in the Hooghly River. The incident occurred at Balaram Sarkar Ghat in the Bhatpara Municipality after the victims went for a dip following Dol Jatra (Holi) festivities.

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Incident and Rescue Operation

According to police reports, three men entered the river to bathe after playing with colors. However, they lost their balance due to the river’s strong current and were swept away. A fourth person, who jumped in to rescue them, was also carried away by the water.

• Victims Identified:
  • Saikat Nandi (32)
  • Sourav Nandi (27)
  • Balaram Sarkar
• Location: Balaram Sarkar Ghat, Ward 33, Bhatpara.
• Residence: All deceased were residents of Madrul Government Colony in Bhatpara and were members of the same family.

Search Efforts

A massive search and rescue operation was launched immediately by the Bhatpara Police with assistance from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local divers.

• Current Status: Three bodies have been recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.
• Missing Person: Intensive search operations using speedboats are still underway to locate the fourth individual who attempted the rescue.

Festive Safety and Security

The tragedy occurred despite heightened security across West Bengal for the festival.

• Police Advisory: Prior to the festival, Kolkata and district police had issued warnings against entering water bodies in an inebriated state.
• Deployment: Nearly 4,000 personnel were deployed across the state to monitor ghats and sensitive locations, with Disaster Management Group (DMG) teams stationed at 24 major ghats along the Ganga.
• Community Impact: The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the Madrul Government Colony, where the family resided.

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Sources

• Press Trust of India (PTI): “West Bengal: 3 drown, 1 missing after being swept away by river in Bhatpara” (March 4, 2026)
• The Week: “West Bengal 3 drown 1 missing after being swept away by river in Bhatpara” (March 4, 2026)
• Aajtak Bangla: “দোলের দিন ভাটপাড়ায় গঙ্গায় তলিয়ে যাওয়া ৩ জনের দেহ উদ্ধার, এখনও নিখোঁজ ১” (March 4, 2026)
• Devdiscourse: “Tragedy in the Hooghly: Festive Bath Turns Fatal” (March 4, 2026)
• Rediff News: “Hooghly River Tragedy: Three Drown After Dol Celebration Bathing” (March 4, 2026)