Stockbroker ‘ends life’ due to tension over financial issues

WIFE SAYS THAT HE WAS DEPRESSED

Mateen.Hafeez@timesgroup.com
 

Mumbai: A 49-year-old stockbroker allegedly jumped to his death from the terrace of a sixstorey building in Tardeo on Wednesday afternoon.

The deceased, Sanjay Shah, had come home for lunch around 1.30 pm. After having his meal, Shah stepped out of his home, but failed to return for a long time. That’s when his wife started looking for him. She later learnt that he had been found lying behind the building.

That’s when neighbours rushed out to check what had happened and found Shah with injuries. He was rushed to the nearby Bhatia Hospital, where he was declared ‘dead before admission’. Doctors have told the police that Shah died due to severe head injuries. The police said Shah’s family members claimed that he had been tense over the last one month due to some monetary issues. No suicide note has been found.

Senior inspector of Tardeo police station, Sanjay Surve, told TOI that Shah’s wife has claimed that she would not leave him alone as he had been depressed for more than a month.

Shah is survived by his wife and two daughters aged 25 and 20. He lived in Anand Nagar Building with his parents besides his wife and daughters. The family had moved into the building in 2005.

An accidental death report has been filed by the police.

The Times of India, June 7, 2018

Rs 16 crore cheating: Probe begins against commodity exchange

Mateen Hafeez | TNN | Jun 6, 2018, 00:10 IST

 

(Representative image)

 

 

MUMBAI: The economic offences wing (EOW) has begun a probe into a Rs 16-crore cheating case, wherein six directors of Universal Commodity Exchange (UCX), a commodity firm, allegedly misappropriated funds and cheated National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) and other firms.

 Kuppa Narayana (52), deputy general manager (law department) Nabard, lodged a complaint with the Bandra-Kurla Complex police, claiming that UCX directors—Ketan Sheth, Sonal Sheth, Pravin Pillai, Ranjit Prabhu, Suhas Ganpule, Girish Deshpande—and others cheated shareholders by misappropriation of funds, breach of trust and falsification of documents.

UCX was promoted by IT professional Ketan from Commex Technology Ltd and government institutions, like IDBI Bank, IFFCO, Nabard, Rural Electrification Corporation, were shareholders in the bourse. As per government rules, members from government agencies should be on the commodity exchange, and therefore the shareholding was given to the former too. The directors of the government agencies would attend the meetings and participate in daily activities.

The government had also invested money in the firm as it bought its shares. “Later, UCX kept some money in fixed deposit in a bank and kept the FD as lein for a third party’s loan. The third party, which had taken a loan of Rs 39 crore defaulted, and this caused loss of Rs 16 crore to shareholders and government firms,” an officer said.

UCX had got approval from the Centre in August 2012 to start operations. In April 2013, the firm started operations with 11 contracts in nine commodities. In 2014, UCX operations were shut down after a fraud was suspected. In March 2018, markets regulator Sebi allowed UCX to discontinue operations as a commodity bourse. The shareholders appointed an auditor and during the forensic audit, it was established that the FD was kept in lein for the third party. “After the shareholders received the auditor’s report, they decided to lodge a complaint,” said an officer.

The Times of India, June 6, 2018

Cops to take stock of files destroyed in Scindia fire; probe into blaze on

 

Scindia House

Mateen Hafeez | TNN | Jun 5, 2018, 06:39 IST

MUMBAI: Three days after a fire broke out at Scindia House, a five-storey heritage structure in the office precinct of Ballard Estate, the police on Monday recorded the statement of those present at the site on the day of the blaze.

As part of the probe, the police are awaiting a report from the income-tax office about which documents were burnt. The I-T department is probing some high-profile cases.

On Monday, a police team and personnel from the state forensic science laboratory inspected the site to ascertain if there was any sabotage.

Fire officials said the blaze started on the third floor, which houses the investigation unit of the I-T department.
 
A mobile forensic investigation van of the Mumbai police was stationed outside Scindia House on Monday. A team of 15 officials from MRA Marg police station, were engaged in carrying out a panchnama, which involves surveying a site and putting out a report on the circumstances as seen at the site.


“We have not registered a case yet. Our action will be based on the fire department’s report. We are recording the statement of those present at the site,” said deputy commissioner of police Manoj Sharma.

The panchnama started in the morning, after the fire brigade gave its nod to the police who had shut all gates and barricaded the area after the fire was doused. Cooling operations took more than two days.

The fire report is expected to be out in a fortnight.

The Times of India, June 5, 2018

Ten years after 26/11, police step up citizen preparedness in tackling crime

Mohua DasandMateen Hafeez | TNN | Jun 4, 2018, 18:59 IST

 

 










“Umar beet jaati hai ek ghar bananey mein/ Log aah nahin kartey bastiyan ujaarne mein,” recites a voice on the microphone before altering the mood with a quip. “There was once this wedding horse that would move forward only if the rider danced before him. Today, I’m that horse and you’re the rider. Tell me why? Because I need claps and cheers to keep talking,” he smiled while the audience chuckled.

The people gathered in the room weren’t at an open mic or a stand up but a Mumbai police workshop called Jagrut Mumbaikar where the speakers were officers from the police security department, trying to sensitise, train and mobilise a roomful of bankers on a busy Wednesday afternoon into playing a bigger role in preventing crimes both big and small and safeguarding their way of life. “So, this happened at a busy railway station on a weekday. An elderly man noticed a tiffin carrier lying abandoned on the platform. So he decided to be a good Samaritan and picked it up, walked straight into the nearest police station and placed it on the OC’s desk! Fortunately, it had food inside. Or else the entire police station could have been blown away,” recounted Santosh Kalapahar, a constable from the police security branch and instructor for the day.

Humour can be a powerful ally and storytelling therapeutic, and these two informal forces are helping bridge Mumbai Police force’s evangelical zeal for the city’s safety and Mumbaikars’ call to action.

The outreach program, Jagrut Mumbaikar was launched a decade ago following the 26/11 terrorists’ attack in Mumbai by the then police commissioner, Khwaja Hasan Gafoor. The roster of terror attacks on Mumbai over the decades underlined the need for greater public vigilance that could strengthen the bond between residents and police officers and encourage them to work together to solve community issues of varying levels of complexity.

It began with handpicked police officers and constables from the security branch being trained to communicate with every day people through lectures, power point presentations and interactive sessions. To expand the canvas of the program, sessions were conducted at all the city malls, various schools and colleges, consulates and housing societies. “Initially response was cold. Later, word of mouth helped when the few people who had attended, liked what they learnt and recommended it to others,” informs Sawant.

What was limited to around 100 engagements in a year was stepped up to 500 workshops in the last one year alone under present police commissioner of Mumbai Dutta Padsalgikar Padsalgikar who has worked for the Intelligence Bureau for 19 years. “Our commissioner takes special interest in these programs and under his leadership have completed 500 such sessions in the last one year alone,” says Pradip Sawant, deputy police commissioner (Security) who is currently supervising the workshops and has previously investigated terror cases like the 2002 Ghatkopar BEST bomb blast, 2003 Mulund train blast, 2003 Gatway of India and Zaveri Bazar bomb blasts.

The emphasis now, he says, is on creating a well-informed community of Mumbaikars who can serve as watchdogs with the preparedness of law enforcers. Not only in order to prevent attacks but also comprehend how to react when an attack is underway. “Rumour is the biggest bomb and there is a danger in overreacting. Assist a cop only if he asks you. When scores of people crowd around a spot, that is mass casualty target right there,” he explained citing the recent Elphinstone bridge stampede. “Someone screamed ‘phool gir raha hai’ and others heard ‘pool gir raha hai’.” 

A key part of the workshop accentuated situational awareness and enabling people to spot signs of dubious activities, recognise suspicious articles and vehicles and how to inform the police. “Don’t touch or remove the object, or submerge it in water. Remember, the red wire cut to diffuse a bomb in a Bollywood film isn’t actually red in real life!” added Kalapahar. 

While the police traditionally regarded with awe and fear had traded their khaki exterior with a friendlier safari suit in trying to shed their isolation and secretive manners they have also taken to showcasing their range of weapons and vehicles to offer accountability and reassure citizens of the security measures in place.

Top Comment

Following the 26/11 terrorist attacks that killed 166 in November 2008, the police had been criticised for their lack of sophisticated weapons, something that the police have tried to overcome. As a replacement for the previously used self-load rifle (SLR) and service revolver with only a few conversant with the AK-56 and 47 assault rifles, Mumbai Police is now equipped with the AK56, MP 5, M 82 Sniper, Smith and Wesson (MP) 9mm pistol, Glock pistol and Barrett model 98B fire arms, all of which are paraded at the Jagrut Mumbaikar workshops now. If bullet proof vehicles, quick response teams placed at strategic locations and commandos who can reach any spot within seven minutes in case of a terror attack or calamity are meant to instil confidence in the citizens, the formation of Force One, an elite commando force on the lines of the NSG.

Apart from combating threats posed by a terror attack, the conversation also involved cybercrimes, and alertness about common crimes like chain snatching, frauds on the street, juvenile crimes, house break-ins and crimes against senior citizens. “It’s important to look out for yourself as well as your neighbour,” the cops echo, giving citizens a chance to make a difference by joining the state’s security tool kit.

The Times of India (Online), June 4, 2018

Trivial tiff over blocked path snowballs, ends up in murder

Mateen Hafeez | TNN | Jun 4, 2018, 03:53 IST


MUMBAI: What started as a minor tiff ended up in the murder of a 28-year-old Deonar resident on Friday. Ahmed Hussain's chest was pierced with a sharp object after an altercation with another local, the police said.

It was around 8 pm when Hussain had just broken his fast and was on his way home after offering namaaz. He had just stepped out to take a call, and while on the phone entered into a lane at Gautam Nagar when another local, Tahir Shaikh, asked him to step aside as he was blocking his path. This sparked an altercation between them.

Tahir and his two brothers allegedly beat up Hussain and also pierced his chest with a sharp object, resulting in his death in hospital. Tahir has been arrested. Hussain, a small businessman, is survived by wife and two children, aged four years and six months.

Hussain's wife, Chandni, who heard about the fight, rushed to the spot and tried to intervene. "She saw her husband being stabbed," said a local.

Muzaffar Shaikh, another local who knows both families well, said: "I heard that two of Tahir's brothers got an injured Hussain on a cot. We rushed him to hospital as he had difficulty breathing. The Shaikhs told doctors that Hussain had fallen on the road and did not talk about his chest injury." A case of murder has been filed at Deonar police station.

The Times of India, June 4, 2018

Conceived after 26/11, police’s plan to make citizens vigilant gains ground

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Umar beet jaati hai ek ghar bananey mein; log aah nahin kartey bastiyan ujaadne mein,” recites a voice on the microphone before altering the mood with a quip. “There was once this wedding horse that would move forward only if the rider danced before him. Today, I’m that horse and you’re the rider. Ask me why? Because I need claps and cheers to keep talking,” he smiled while the audience chuckled.

The people gathered in the room weren’t at an open mic or a stand-up but a Mumbai police workshop called Jagrut Mumbaikar where the speakers were officers from the police security department, trying to sensitise, train and mobilise a roomful of bankers on a busy Wednesday afternoon into playing bigger roles in preventing crimes. “So, this happened at a busy railway station on a weekday. An elderly man noticed a tiffin carrier lying abandoned on the platform. So he picked it up, walked straight into the nearest police station and placed it on the OC’s desk! Fortunately, it had food. Ese the police station could have been blown away,” recounted Santosh Kalapahar, a constable and instructor for the day.

Humour can be a powerful ally and storytelling therapeutic, and these two informal forces are helping bridge Mumbai Police force’s evangelical zeal for the city’s safety and Mumbaikars’ call to action.

The outreach programme, Jagrut Mumbaikar, was launched a decade ago following the 26/11 terrorists’ attack in Mumbai. What was limited to around 100 engagements in a year was stepped up to 500 workshops in the last one year alone under present police commissioner of Mumbai Datta Padsalgikar who has worked for the Intelligence Bureau for 19 years. “Our commissioner takes special interest in these programmes and under his leadership have completed 500 such sessions in the last one year alone,” says Pradip Sawant, deputy commissioner (security) who is supervising the workshops.

The emphasis now, he says, is on creating a well-informed community of Mumbaikars who can serve as watchdogs. “Rumour is the biggest bomb and there is a danger in overreacting. Assist a cop only if he asks you. When scores of people crowd around a spot, that is mass casualty target right there,” he explained citing the recent Elphinstone bridge stampede. “Someone screamed ‘phool gir raha hai’ and others heard ‘pool gir raha hai’.”

A key part of the workshop accentuated situational awareness and enabling people to spot signs of dubious activities, recognise suspicious articles and vehicles and how to inform the police. “Don’t touch or remove the object, or submerge it in water. Remember, the red wire cut to diffuse a bomb in a Bollywood film isn’t actually red in real life!” added Kalapahar.

While the police traditionally regarded with awe and fear had traded their khaki exterior with a friendlier safari suit in trying to shed their isolation and secretive manners, they have also taken to showcasing their range of weapons and vehicles to offer accountability and reassure citizens of the security measures in place.

 

The Times of India, June 3, 2018

Rs 4,500 crore con: Cops start attaching firm's assets

 

Representative image

Mateen Hafeez | TNN | Updated: Jun 2, 2018, 05:14 IST

MUMBAI: The economic offences wing (EOW) on Friday took the custody of Omprakash Goenka, managing director in Royal Twinkle Star Club (RTSC), for allegedly cheating investors of more than Rs 4,500 crore.

Police have now begun attaching the resorts and hotels owned by the investment firm and are planning to auction the assets to refund investors' money.

Goenka was arrested by the Nashik (rural) police on May 20 in a cheating case registered with the Lasalgaon police by Kavita Pagar, a homemaker. Pagar lodged a complaint accusing Goenka and others of duping her of Rs 15 lakh. The investment firm had allegedly lured investors with high returns. The victims, who collectively invested Rs 4,500 crore, were promised total returns of around Rs 7,500 crore.

"A case was registered with the EOW in February against Goenka and three other directors of the firm. We have conducted search operations at several places including the offices of all directors and their residences. More than 200 bank accounts belonging to the accused and their firms have been frozen," a senior officer said. Investigators have also attached over a dozen properties belonging ot the accused and their firms.


The Times of India, June 2, 2018