Latest Mumbai Crime Branch News | Top Mumbai Crime Branch News Headlines Today | Today India news | Breaking Mumbai Crime Branch News Today | English Mumbai Crime Branch News Headlines - TheDailyGuardian

Mumbai Crime Branch Criticizes Bandra Police for Delay in Saif Ali Khan Stabbing Case Alert

January 18, 2025, 10:28 am

Senior police officials on Friday expressed their disappointment with the Bandra police regarding their lack of urgency in addressing the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan by an intruder. They indicated that the police did not quickly notify key units such as the crime branch and the Government Railway Police (GRP), which could have assisted in obstructing the suspect’s escape routes.

A senior officer mentioned that prompt action could have resulted in the suspect’s apprehension within hours of the incident, which took place around 2 am on Thursday.

“It appears to be a total failure of the Bandra police, who did not treat the incident with the seriousness it deserved and also failed to notify nearby police stations and the crime branch to apprehend the perpetrator as soon as they were informed of the incident,” stated the senior officer.

Sources disclosed that a team from the Bandra police station reached Lilavati Hospital, where Khan is receiving medical care, at roughly 4 am on Thursday to collect information. At the same time, another team visited the Satguru Sharan building in Bandra West, where the incident occurred.

“The crime branch was notified about the incident at around 6 am, three and a half hours after the incident,” the senior officer said. “It was nighttime, and the streets were devoid of pedestrians. If the Bandra police had alerted all other police stations, along with officials in patrolling vans and beat marshals, they could have easily apprehended the suspect,” the officer remarked.

The senior officer further indicated that the crime branch was not given critical information, such as the First Information Report (FIR) and CCTV footage of the attacker. He suggested that this lack of coordination undermined efforts to capture the criminal. The officer stressed the importance of healthy competition between police stations and crime branch units in combating serious crimes effectively.

Another officer noted that the Bandra police could have provided CCTV footage to various units, including the GRP, Railway Protection Force, and the crime branch. Such actions might have initiated measures like nakabandi throughout Bandra, especially near railway stations and other exit points, to intercept the suspect.

A retired police officer, who chose to remain anonymous, pointed out a decrease in proactive efforts observed in previous high-profile cases. “There were clear lapses and negligence evident in three high-profile cases—the shooting at actor Salman Khan’s residence, where the suspects fled the city and were apprehended after three days; the murder of senior NCP leader Baba Siddique, in which the main shooter returned to the crime scene and visited Lilavati Hospital, where the former minister was taken for care, yet still managed to escape the city; and the case involving the attack on Saif Ali Khan,” the retired officer remarked.

Retired IPS officer PK Jain noted that in the past, local gangs would alert the police when outsiders engaged in criminal activities. Nonetheless, aspects such as migration, enhanced transportation, and greater anonymity have facilitated criminals in avoiding detection. He also highlighted the changing priorities within law enforcement. “Furthermore, the emphasis of the police now is on emerging types of crime like cybercrime and VIP protection, which leads them to neglect minor and street offenses,” he remarked.

Retired assistant commissioner of police Sunil Deshmukh mentioned that previous ground patrolling methods ensured a notable police presence, particularly during banking hours, which decreased street crimes. “Currently, there is scarcely any police presence on the streets. Consequently, street crimes such as mobile theft are rampant, where the offenders can commit an act and escape on two-wheelers,” Deshmukh clarified.

Baba Siddique Murder Plot: 16th Suspect Arrested From Pune, Will Be in Police Custody Till Nov 9

November 6, 2024, 6:53 pm

Mumbai Crime Branch police have made another arrest in the ongoing investigation into the murder of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, officials reported on Wednesday. The suspect, identified as Gaurav Vilas Apune, age 32, was apprehended in Pune, Maharashtra, bringing the total number of arrests in this high-profile case to 16. Following his arrest, a court remanded him to police custody until November 9.

During the investigation, officials uncovered that Apune had met with other suspects to discuss and plan Siddique’s assassination. He was reportedly in contact with the group of shooters initially hired for the killing. Baba Siddique was shot dead by three assailants on October 12 near the office of his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique, located in Mumbai’s Nirmal Nagar.

The murder has been claimed by a gang led by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who allegedly orchestrated the assassination. Earlier, Mumbai Police confirmed that the firearms used in the crime had been sourced from Rajasthan.

The Mumbai Crime Branch has intensified its search for more suspects, deploying five teams outside Maharashtra and actively searching in Haryana. Among those sought is Zeeshan, who has been identified as the alleged mastermind behind the murder.

In addition, Crime Branch officials recovered another weapon used in Baba Siddique’s murder from the Pune residence of suspect Rupesh Mohol, marking the fifth weapon recovered in the case. Authorities believe there were about six weapons brought into Mumbai as part of the assassination plot and are still searching for one more firearm and three live cartridges.

Also read: India is pushing for $1 trillion climate finance deal at COP29

Earlier, another weapon had been recovered from the Raigad residence of suspect Ram Fulchand Kanoujia, where he had been living on rent. Police also revealed that, upon examining the mobile phones of the shooters, images of pistols were found, further linking them to the crime.

Baba Siddiqui Murder Case: Criminals Do Not Belong To Any Specific City or Location, Says Haryana DGP

October 21, 2024, 5:24 pm

Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapoor on Monday condemned Lawrence Bishnoi, stating that criminals, whether in the Baba Siddiqui murder case or any other, do not belong to any specific city or location, and strict action will be taken against them. Speaking to reporters in Panchkula, he said, “Whether it is the Baba Siddiqui murder case or any other, wherever it happened, the police there are investigating the matter… Criminals are criminals, they do not belong to any one city or place, and strict action will be taken against them.”

Earlier, on Sunday, Mumbai Crime Branch arrested another person in connection with the NCP leader Baba Siddiqui’s murder case. So far, ten people have been arrested, said Mumbai Police. The accused, identified as Bhagwant Singh, was arrested from Belapur in Navi Mumbai. Police accused Bhagwant of aiding the shooters by providing them shelter and weapons and alleged that he transported weapons from Rajasthan to Mumbai.

Baba Siddique was shot outside his office in Nirmal Nagar. He sustained two gunshot wounds to the chest and was taken to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on October 12. On October 19, Mumbai Police suspended police security guard Shyam Sonawane, who was present with Siddique during the incident. According to the police, constable Sonawane “did not take any action” against the accused who fired at Siddiqui.

In another development, a photograph of Baba Siddique’s son, Zeeshan Siddique, was found in the phone of one of the arrested accused, shared via Snapchat. The police stated that the shooters and conspirators used Snapchat to share information, with messages being deleted after instructions were given.

Also read: Fourth Accused From Jalandhar Identified in NCP Leader Baba Siddique’s Murder

Accused Ram Kanojia revealed during interrogation that he was the first person given the contract to kill Siddiqui and had initially demanded one crore rupees, according to the Mumbai Crime Branch.

Another Arrest in Baba Siddiqui Murder Case, Mumbai Crime Branch Detains Key Accused

October 20, 2024, 7:51 pm

The Mumbai Crime Branch has made another arrest in connection with the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddiqui. On Sunday, police confirmed the arrest of Bhagwant Singh, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to 10. Singh was apprehended in Belapur, Navi Mumbai.

According to the Mumbai Police, Bhagwant Singh is accused of providing shelter to the shooters involved in the murder and supplying them with weapons. He is also alleged to have transported arms from Rajasthan to Mumbai, aiding the attackers in executing the crime.

Baba Siddiqui’s Assassination Details

Baba Siddiqui was shot outside his office in Nirmal Nagar, Mumbai. He sustained two gunshot wounds to his chest and was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on October 12. The incident has sparked a high-profile investigation, leading to multiple arrests.

On October 19, the Mumbai Police suspended Shyam Sonawane, a police constable assigned as Siddiqui’s security guard. Sonawane was present at the scene during the shooting but reportedly did not intervene to protect Siddiqui. His failure to act has led to disciplinary action.

Mumbai Police have uncovered a photograph of Baba Siddiqui’s son, Zeeshan Siddiqui, on the phone of one of the arrested suspects. The image was shared via Snapchat, a platform the shooters and conspirators used to communicate. Messages exchanged through the app were deleted after being read, complicating the investigation.

One of the arrested suspects, Ram Kanojia, revealed during interrogation that he was initially offered the contract to kill Baba Siddiqui for a fee of one crore rupees. Kanojia stated that fugitive accused Shubham Lonkar first approached him for the assassination but later backed out after Kanojia demanded a higher fee.

Shooters Hired from Uttar Pradesh

Lonkar then sought shooters from Uttar Pradesh, believing they would be less familiar with Baba Siddiqui’s influence in Maharashtra and thus willing to carry out the murder for a lower price. The Mumbai Crime Branch reported that Dharma Raj Kashyap, Gurnail Singh, and Shivkumar Gautam were subsequently hired for the assassination.

As the investigation progresses, the Mumbai Crime Branch continues to track down further leads, including the whereabouts of fugitive suspects and any additional conspirators involved in the murder.

Chilling Plot Revealed: Baba Siddique’s Shooters Used Instagram, Snapchat To Plan Murder

October 16, 2024, 12:16 am

In a shocking turn of events, Mumbai Police have revealed that the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was orchestrated through Instagram and Snapchat. The conspiracy, which began three months ago, involved meticulous planning and multiple visits to Siddique’s residence, as the shooters carried out reconnaissance without weapons.

The Plot Unfolds: Murder Planned on Social Media

Mumbai Crime Branch confirmed that the entire planning was done in Pune, with four people arrested so far, including Gurmail Baljit Singh, Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap, and Pravin Lonkar. The accused communicated via Snapchat and Instagram, using these platforms to coordinate every move. Two absconding suspects, including one linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, remain at large.

Learning to Kill from YouTube

According to the police, the shooters learned to fire weapons by watching YouTube tutorials. A photo of Baba Siddique was given to them, marking him as the target. The accused recced the area surrounding his house and office 25 days prior to the fatal attack.

Money and Weapons Provided

The fourth arrested suspect, Harishkumar Nisad, acted as the middleman, providing money and weapons to the shooters. The ₹2 lakh payment and two mobile phones were essential in executing the plot.

The Murder

Baba Siddique, 66, was shot dead outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s MLA office in Mumbai’s Nirmal Nagar area on October 12. As police continue their investigation, the nation is left stunned by how social media apps played a crucial role in this high-profile assassination.

Mumbai Crime Branch Files Chargesheet Against 2 Students In Ambani Threat Case

June 27, 2024, 2:39 pm

The Mumbai Crime Branch has filed a 1,000-page chargesheet against two college students accused of sending threatening emails to Reliance Industries Ltd and its chairman, Mukesh Ambani, demanding ₹500 crore.

Rajveer Khant, 21, and Ganesh Vanaparthi, 19, were apprehended in separate operations last year. Khant, a third-year commerce student from Kalol, Gujarat, was caught by the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU), while Vanaparthi, a computer science student from Warangal, Telangana, was arrested by the Gamdevi police in November.

Investigators have described Khant, the son of a Gujarat police head constable, as a tech-savvy individual who frequently used the dark web and VPNs to conceal his location. In one audacious email, he reportedly challenged authorities with the taunt, “Catch Me If You Can.”

“Khant used to mask his internet protocol (IP) address, leaving very little room for authorities to trace him,” a police officer stated. “However, he was accessing mailfence.com and had created an email account impersonating someone named Shadab Khan. While accessing the email account, it took time to change VPN networks, and we got our first clue as we obtained his IP address.”

According to the chargesheet, Khant sent five emails to Ambani between 27 October and 1 November 2023, with escalating demands ranging from ₹20 crore to ₹400 crore.

Vanaparthi, acting independently, sent a single email to Ambani on 1 November, demanding ₹500 crore. During interrogation, he claimed to have sent the email “for fun” after seeing news reports about the threats Ambani had received.

The investigation involved extensive collaboration with service providers. “We found that out of 500 mailfence.com users in India, only 150 were active in October. On 25 October, just before Ambani received the threatening emails, only one person in India was using a mailfence email ID. This was a major breakthrough,” an officer explained.

Khant reportedly chose the name “Shadab Khan” for his email account after watching a cricket World Cup match where the Pakistani player was performing well.

Despite Khant’s confidence in his anonymity, the Crime Branch team, led by Milind Kate, successfully traced him through meticulous analysis of technical data and cooperation with various agencies and service providers in India and abroad.

Both accused have been charged under Sections 387 and 506(2) of the Indian Penal Code, dealing with extortion and criminal intimidation. If convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison.

Salman Khan House Firing Case: Mumbai Crime Branch Arrests Fifth Suspect

May 7, 2024, 12:38 pm

In the latest development regarding the shooting incident outside actor Salman Khan’s residence, Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested a fifth suspect. Identified as Mohammad Chaudhary, he was apprehended in Rajasthan for allegedly aiding the shooters, Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta. Chaudhary is said to have provided financial assistance and reconnaissance for the assailants, according to Mumbai Crime Branch officials.

This arrest adds another layer to the intricate network of individuals connected to the attack on Salman Khan’s residence. The case took a tragic turn with the death of Anuj Thapan, one of the arms suppliers involved. Thapan was found dead in his cell on May 1, reportedly by suicide. Mumbai Police disclosed that Thapan had attempted to take his own life while in custody and was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital.

Anuj Thapan’s arrest on April 26 was a significant breakthrough in the investigation, revealing insights into the network responsible for supplying weapons to the attackers. The incident, which took place on April 14, involved two assailants firing outside the Galaxy Apartments, where Salman Khan lives, before fleeing. The subsequent arrests uncovered connections to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

In response to the gravity of the case, Mumbai Police invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against all the accused involved in the shooting incident. Additionally, a lookout notice has been issued for Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, in connection with the case.

Mumbai Crime Branch detains THIS actor in Mahadev Betting App Case

April 28, 2024, 11:20 am

In a significant development, the Mumbai Crime Branch’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has detained actor Sahil Khan in connection with the Mahadev betting app case. Khan was apprehended on Saturday from Chhattisgarh after reportedly evading authorities for nearly 40 hours. His attempts to secure pre-arrest bail were unsuccessful as the Bombay High Court rejected his plea.

Who is Sahil Khan?

Sahil Khan is a well-known actor and fitness trainer recognized for his roles in Bollywood movies such as “Style” and “Excuse Me.” He began his career with a musical video for Stereo Nation’s “Nachange Sari Raat” and later became a prominent fitness expert, renowned for promoting fitness awareness. Khan has received awards from various organizations in Mumbai for his contributions to the fitness industry.

Sahil’s connection to Mehadev Betting App Case

Khan, who had been constantly changing his location to evade authorities, stands accused of running a betting site and promoting illegal betting activities. His name emerged during the investigation of the Mehadev betting app case by the Matunga Police in Mumbai.

The saga began in December 2023 when the SIT of the Mumbai cyber cell issued summons to Sahil Khan and three others, directing them to appear for questioning. However, Khan failed to comply, leading to intensified efforts by law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend him.

The alleged size of the scam is estimated to be around Rs 15,000 crore, as per the first information report (FIR) filed in the case. Notably, one of the chief accused, Ravi Uppal, was detained in Dubai last year by local authorities based on a red corner notice issued by Interpol at the behest of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Sahil Khan, known for his roles in films like ‘Style’ and ‘Excuse Me’, has transitioned into the fitness industry in recent years, working as a fitness expert and founder of Divine Nutrition, a company specializing in fitness supplements such as whey protein, creatine, and muscle gainers.

Salman Khan’s Security Breach: Mumbai Crime Branch Nabs the Two Accused in Firing Incident

April 16, 2024, 5:03 am

Two suspects have been apprehended by the Mumbai Crime Branch for their alleged participation in the shooting incident outside actor Salman Khan’s residence in Bandra West. The Mumbai Police confirmed the capture of the two individuals in Bhuj, Gujarat, late on Monday night.

Officials stated that both suspects, who fled Mumbai after the shooting, were nabbed in Gujarat. They will be transported to Mumbai for further inquiry. The shooting occurred early Sunday morning when two unidentified individuals fired shots outside Galaxy Apartments, where Salman Khan lives, before fleeing. Law enforcement responded swiftly to the incident, which was described as a carefully planned attack, with the suspects arriving on a motorcycle wearing helmets to conceal their identities. They fired a total of four rounds and left a live cartridge at the scene.

Earlier, the Mumbai Crime Branch had summoned two persons for questioning regarding the shooting. Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to Salman Khan and discussed increasing the actor’s security with the Mumbai Police Commissioner. Since November 2022, Salman Khan’s security has been heightened to Y-Plus due to threats from Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. Additionally, Khan has been authorized to carry a personal firearm and has acquired an armored vehicle for increased protection.

Mumbai Crime Branch Arrests Two More in Child Trafficking Case; 10 Detained So Far

November 27, 2023, 1:08 pm

The Mumbai Crime Branch continues its intensive efforts in the child trafficking case by arresting two individuals on Monday, bringing the total tally of detained individuals to 10, according to the branch authorities.

Daya Nayak from the Crime Branch in Mumbai reported, “A woman from Kherdi in Chiplun district, Maharashtra, and a man from Virar in Palghar district were apprehended in connection with a child trafficking case on Monday.”

Despite being detained and interrogated, the two individuals have not been formally charged. According to the Crime Branch, the apprehended individuals were involved in the illegal trade of children. The Crime Branch had previously apprehended three people, including a couple accused of selling their children to fund drug purchases. In the process, a one-month-old baby girl was rescued from Andheri. The search for the couple’s second, two-year-old son is still ongoing.

“A couple, grappling with drug addiction, resorted to selling their own children in Andheri. Once the family was made aware of the incident, the matter came to light. The accused couple and two others have had cases registered against them. The couple sold the boy for Rs. sixty thousand and the one-month-old girl for Rs. fourteen thousand,” mentioned Daya Nayak from the Mumbai Crime Branch in a statement.

Police filed cases against Shabbir Khan, Sania Khan, Usha Rathore, and Shakeel Makrani, elucidating that Shabbir and Sania were ensnared in drug addiction. The investigations into this heartbreaking case are ongoing.