Western Railway has been ordered to pay Rs 27 lakh in compensation to a former LIC agent who lost both lower limbs in a platform accident at Borivli station in 2014. The Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ruled that the railways’ gross negligence in maintaining safe platform gaps and providing adequate trauma facilities led to the tragedy, and the payment is a landmark decision in the ongoing debate over railway safety standards. Background and Context In January 2014, Hitendra Joshi, a 55‑year‑old LIC agent, attempted to board the Suryanagri Express from Borivli station. While the train was in motion, he slipped…
Author: Lukman Isiaq
In a landmark decision that could reshape the real‑estate landscape in Mumbai, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRera) has ordered the promoters of the Kalpataru Yashodhan project in Andheri West to refund a homebuyer couple with a total of ₹1.40 crore plus interest. The ruling, delivered by member Ravindra Deshpande, underscores the authority’s commitment to protecting buyers and signals a stern warning to developers who fail to honour possession timelines. Background and Context In 2017, Hina and Sanjay Choksi booked a flat in the Kalpataru Yashodhan project, paying over ₹1.46 crore—roughly 20 % of the total consideration for a unit valued at…
In a landmark decision that has sent ripples through the financial‑fraud litigation landscape, a special court in Mumbai on January 19, 2026 granted Farid Hamid Sama—an accused in the Rs 4,733‑crore Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd (DHFL) fraud case—travel permission to attend a business conference in Davos, Switzerland, and subsequent meetings in Paris and London. The ruling, which replaced Sama’s “flight‑risk” status with a temporary passport exemption, underscores a growing trend of courts balancing the accused’s fundamental rights against the gravity of the alleged offenses. Background and Context The DHFL scam, one of India’s largest financial frauds, has implicated 32 individuals, including Sama, who is…
Two men have been booked by the Maharashtra Police for duping a financial planner of ₹49.3 lakh by presenting forged land documents, a case that underscores the growing menace of property‑related fraud in the state. Background and Context In the bustling suburb of Thane, a financial planner named Rajesh Subhash Jadhav (34) fell prey to a sophisticated scam that involved forged land titles dated between December 2015 and July 2023. The perpetrators lured him into a partnership for a construction venture, promising lucrative returns. When the documents were scrutinised, they were found to be counterfeit, leading to the booking of the two suspects…
In a startling turn of events, a 72‑year‑old woman from South Mumbai has been defrauded of ₹88,000 by a man posing as an astrologer, sparking a police probe into the growing menace of the Mumbai astrologer scam. The victim, a retired BMC clerk, fell prey to a series of online posts promising relationship and family healing, only to find her hard‑earned savings siphoned through a Google Pay link. Background/Context Astrology has long been woven into the cultural fabric of India, with millions seeking guidance on love, career, and health. In recent years, however, the rise of social media has opened…
Mumbai: Fresh FIR filed against film director Vikram Bhatt in 13.5 crore cheating case In a dramatic turn of events, Mumbai Police have registered a new First Information Report (FIR) against filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his daughter Krishna Bhatt for allegedly defrauding a Pune‑based investor of ₹13.5 crore. The case, which follows Bhatt’s recent arrest in Rajasthan over a separate ₹30 crore cheating allegation, has sent shockwaves through the Bollywood community and raised questions about financial transparency in film production. Background/Context Vikram Bhatt, known for his horror and thriller franchises, has long been a prominent name in Indian cinema. However, his reputation…
Mumbai organ donation has seen a modest uptick this year, with seven cadaver donations recorded in just 23 days. Yet the city’s transplant system remains strained, as families and coordinators grapple with limited recipients and logistical hurdles that keep the number of organs actually transplanted far below the potential. Background / Context Since Mumbai launched India’s first cadaver transplant programme in 1997, the city has been a benchmark for organ donation. However, recent statistics paint a stark picture: the city’s cadaver donation count fell from 60 in 2024 to 53 in 2025, an 11% decline. In 2026, the first month…
Man kills wife Naigaon murder – In a shocking turn of events on Friday night, a 36‑year‑old man strangled his 30‑year‑old wife in a cramped chawl in Naigaon, Mumbai, before calling the police control room to report the incident and surrendering himself. The police arrived at the scene, found the victim, Komal Maurya, deceased, and took the accused, Rakesh Kumar Maurya, into custody. The case has been registered under sections of murder, and the accused has been produced in court. Background/Context Naigaon, a densely populated suburb of Mumbai, has seen a rise in domestic disputes in recent years, with several…
Mumbai: A former employee of a steel pipe manufacturer has been arrested by the Samta Nagar Police for misappropriating ₹8.6 crore in a case of Mumbai steel company fraud. The ex‑accountant, who left the firm in May 2022, is accused of siphoning company funds between 2023 and 2025, using his former login credentials and personal mobile number to receive OTPs. The fraud was uncovered during an audit in October 2025, leading to the arrest and a police complaint filed by the company in December 2025. Background and Context The steel pipe industry in Mumbai has faced mounting financial pressures in recent years, with several…
In a landmark decision that underscores the growing scrutiny of road safety and liability, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has awarded ₹92.53 lakh in compensation to the family of a Kalwa‑based businessman who lost his life in a tragic collision on the JNPT–Palaspe road in May 2020. The award, handed down by Presiding Officer R V Mohite, reflects a composite negligence verdict that places 85 % liability on the trailer driver and 15 % on the two‑wheeler rider for failing to maintain a safe distance. Background and Context The fatal incident, which occurred on 16 May 2020 at approximately 3:45 pm near a T‑point on the…