Latest news with #Powai-based


Indian Express
05-08-2025
- Indian Express
Powai businessman duped of Rs 30 lakh in betel nut trade ‘scam'; police launch search for suspects
A Powai-based businessman was allegedly duped of Rs 30 lakh by three men who promised to supply betel nuts to him at a price lower than the market rate, assuring huge profits. The Powai police said they have launched a manhunt for three men, identified as R Gupta, Manoj Patel, and Mahendra Shah alias Ramji Samaliya, after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed Monday. 'We have registered the case and are actively searching for the accused,' said Senior Inspector Madhukar Sanap of Airport Police Station. According to the police, the complainant, Prakash Shukla, 49, was introduced to one Ramkishan Pandey, a resident of Thane, by a relative. Pandey, in turn, introduced him to Gupta, who claimed to be an exporter of betel nuts. Gupta was accompanied by two associates, Patel and Samaliya, who were presented as fellow exporters from Gujarat. 'Gupta resides in Navi Mumbai, while Patel and Samaliya are based in Gujarat and frequently travel to Mumbai for business,' said a police officer. The police said Shukla's relative allegedly vouched for the three men's credibility, convincing him that the transaction would be highly profitable. Following several phone conversations, a meeting was scheduled on December 26 at a five-star hotel in Vile Parle to create an illusion of credibility, said the police. During the meeting, the suspects offered to sell 26 tons of betel nut at Rs 250 per kilogram, worth Rs 1.30 crore. They demanded an advance of Rs 30 lakh in cash, assuring that the remaining amount could be paid via cheque or RTGS after delivery. Shukla was not carrying cash at the time, so he arranged the payment within a few hours, and handed over Rs 30 lakh to the suspects later that evening. Encouraged by the deal, the police said, Shukla contacted a relative in Delhi who also showed interest in purchasing 60 tons of betel nuts. However, when Shukla followed up with the suspects regarding the delivery, they initially assured that the consignment would be delivered by December 31. Subsequently, the suspects stopped answering calls — their phone numbers were first found switched off and later out of service, according to the complaint. Shukla approached the Airport Police Station after he realised he had been duped, and submitted a written complaint. The police verified the facts and registered a case against Gupta and two others under sections 316(2) (criminal breach of trust), 318(4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property), and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).


Time of India
10-07-2025
- Time of India
Activist on loo protest mock-hangs self, detained
Mumbai: A Powai-based activist, Tabrez Ali Sayed, staged a dramatic protest by mock hanging himself at to highlight the state of 16 public toilets in the area, which are used by a population of over 2,000 locals. "The public toilet block at Morarji Nagar near IT Aurum Park consists of 16 toilet cubicles or units, used by a over 2,000 daily. These toilets are in a very shabby condition with irregular water supply, broken tiles, and a reeking septic tank that desperately needs renovation," said Sayed, unit secretary of CPI (M). He added, "For the past two years, we wrote to BMC's S ward to renovate this toilet block, but no progress was made despite filing an RTI with the S ward office. After my mock hanging 'Phansi Do Toilet Lo' (Hang yourself to get a toilet), some civic work began at the site." You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The police detained Sayed on Thursday and released him with a warning. Sayed, also an active 'Save Aarey Forest' eco-warrior, was earlier externed from the region by the local police. BMC engineer of S ward, Adinath Vanawe, said, "The toilet block at could not be renovated earlier due to road repair work... we have now started renovation."


Time of India
26-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
CBSE's 2-exam plan ‘rooted in compassion': Principals
Mumbai: From 2026, CBSE class 10 students will sit not for one board exam, but two sets of board exams, if they choose to. The first, in February, will cover all subjects and will be compulsory. The second, in May, will offer students the option to reappear for up to three papers to improve their scores. For many, it's a quiet revolution. A policy rooted in empathy, said school heads, and one that allows students to breathe—perhaps for the first time in board season. "This is a policy that gives students dignity and space," says Avnita Bir, director-principal of RN Podar School. "It reduces the stress of a make-or-break exam and offers flexibility of a second chance. But let's not ignore logistical hurdles—it will be challenging to conduct and evaluate two exams back-to-back..." You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Overall, the move has found support among educators. Educationist Francis Joseph calls it a "well-being" move. "This kind of flexibility was needed yesterday. We must allow our children to experience assessment with less fear and more fairness. I hope state and national boards take note. But I urge parents, especially, to avoid turning both attempts into battlegrounds. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Let this be a cushion, not a crucible." Anjali Bowen, principal of Ryan International School, Kandivli, said: "This change acknowledges what we've always known — that stress erodes learning. By allowing students to retake exams, CBSE is not diluting the rigour—it's deepening the compassion. It gives students more than one moment to shine." As educators, she added, "we were aware of this potential shift, and now that it's officially being implemented, our school and teachers are actively working on integrating this new structure into our academic planning. .." But on ground, teachers already anticipate the ripple effects. A Powai-based teacher said, "We are yet to understand how students will navigate the academic calendar between the two phases. We're waiting for the standard operating procedures to see how feasible it really is." Others said the model isn't entirely new. "It's like old wine in a new bottle," said a principal. "Earlier, students who failed could reappear a few months later. Now, the language has changed—we've taken away the word 'compartment', which carried shame, and replaced it with choice. That matters."


Time of India
01-06-2025
- Time of India
Woman to get 1.2L from airline for lost baggage
Mumbai: Observing that there was mala fide negligence by the Flynas Airline supporting staff as well as officials, a district consumer commission has ordered it to pay Rs 1.25 lakh to a Powai-based woman for a lost bag, along with Rs 10,000 for mental agony. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The complaint was filed by Nupur Rohida. Flynas Airlines, a low-cost Saudi Arabian airline, despite being served, remained absent from the proceedings, leading the commission to proceed ex parte. In an order on May 29, the commission said the airline's actions were not satisfactory in the incident. "The opposite party could have checked the CCTV footage to confirm the incident and could have brought a more factual report on record. However, we do not find any genuine efforts taken by the Opposite Party to confirm the incident to trace the lost bag. The Opposite Party purposely avoided all the logical actions to find the lost bag," the commission said. The commission further said that there are set rules for baggage loss compensations as per the Montreal Convention (1999). "The Montreal Convention…is an international treaty that governs airline liability for passengers and their baggage on international flights. It standardises rules for compensation in cases of baggage loss, delay, or damage," the commission said. Rohida moved the commission in 2025. The incident occurred during a family trip to Turkey in December 2023 and January 2024. Rohida and her family had return flights booked for January 2, 2024, from Istanbul to Riyadh, with a connecting flight to Mumbai on January 3, 2024. At Istanbul airport, the complainant handed over five bags to the airline staff. However, the airline staff mistakenly tagged only four bags, and the fifth bag went onto the conveyor belt without a tag. The complainant immediately brought this error to the attention of the staff at the ticket and baggage counter. The staff then physically gave a bag tag to the complainant, however, the fifth bag was permanently lost.


Time of India
21-04-2025
- Time of India
10K penalty on restaurant for installing electric lights on tree, greens welcome action
Navi Mumbai: Green activists have welcomed the latest stringent action taken by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation of slapping a penalty of Rs 10,000 on the owner of a Belapur-based bar and restaurant for installing electric lights on a tree near his property. The action was taken by the deputy municipal commissioner of zone-1 under the guidance of the NMMC Commissioner Kailas Shinde. "It is illegal to install wirings and electric lights on trees under the Maharashtra Preservation of Trees Act . Hence, we have started taking action against any person or group which damages trees by installing lights on them," said a civic official. A Mumbai-based tree lover and activist remarked, "It is good that NMMC has started slapping fines on those who misuse trees by installing lights on them. The BMC should also actively impose such penalties. At Powai's Rambaug Lane, a high voltage electric lamp was fixed on a tree, opposite Mhada building number 11 (shops)." The BMC S-ward officials have responded that their gardens department team is looking into the installation of the electric light on the Powai-based tree.