Mid Day✓

Illegal hawkers have returned to Bandra West’s Hill Road, with residents accusing the BMC of failing to keep footpaths encroachment-free. ✍🏻: Madhulika Ram Kavattur Read more:

Mumbai Police arrested two men after recovering 3.563 kg of hydro ganja worth ₹1.24 crore near Umar Khadi Cross Lane in Dongri. The Anti-Narcotics Cell intercepted the duo after spotting them behaving suspiciously while carrying two blue plastic bags. A search led to the recovery of the contraband, with 1.823 kg allegedly found on one accused and 1.740 kg on the other. ✍️: Abhitash Singh Read more:

Mumbai University students appearing for BCom exams at two centres in Palghar have alleged that staff helped candidates from their own colleges cheat. The students have raised concerns over the absence of CCTV cameras, poor drinking water and washroom facilities, last-minute centre changes and inadequate directions to examination halls. The candidates have demanded a probe by Mumbai University, with complainants claiming that multiple letters have gone unanswered for nearly 10 days. ✍️: Ritika Gondhalekar Read more:

A university official said the matter would be looked into immediately and action taken as per the rules.

The five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has concluded that Kalyan Bainsla deliberately hit 27-year-old biker Shivani Chauhan, known as Sia, on Gurugram’s Golf Course Road on September 13. The team has submitted its report to the police commissioner, and the chargesheet, which includes an attempt-to-murder charge, is expected to be filed in court within a week. The incident was captured on Sia’s helmet camera and went viral on social media. Bainsla had maintained that the collision was an accident. He is currently lodged in Bhondsi jail, and his bail pleas have been rejected.

A Jaipur businessman lost ₹20 lakh after two scooter-borne men allegedly stole his cash-filled bag while he stopped to eat a ₹20 kachori around 4 pm on Monday. The incident took place in the Nahargarh police station area and was captured on CCTV. The businessman, identified as Champalal, chased the suspects, joined by locals, but the two men managed to escape.

BMC has allocated Rs 15 lakh to each ward for a pre-Diwali cleanliness drive from October 28 to November 7 to curb road dust and reduce air pollution in Mumbai. The drive will cover major arterial roads and dust-prone stretches, with mechanised sweeping, dust removal and water sprinkling planned across the city. The civic body will deploy machinery such as mechanical sweepers, JCBs and misting machines, while ward officials will monitor the work through daily reports and geo-tagged before-and-after photographs and videos. Read more:

Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) supporters, led by founder-president Prakash Ambedkar, staged a protest march near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai on Wednesday, October 28, demanding the resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protest was over irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission and concerns about safeguarding voters’ rights.

Demonstrators raised slogans and held placards calling for accountability from the poll body.

The march drew attention to the VBA’s demand for greater transparency in the electoral process and protection of democratic rights.

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized 296 kg of broken rice worth ₹35,520 from Classic Enterprises in Goregaon during a food safety inspection on October 27. The seizure was part of a statewide drive to check the quality and safety of food products and take action against suspected substandard or improperly labelled stock.

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized 240.50 kg of assorted sweets worth ₹1,22,260 from Arihant Sweets in Kandivali during an inspection drive on October 27. The sweets are suspected to contain excess added colour, and further action has been initiated by the FDA.

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized 250.50 kg of milk powder, buffalo milk and paneer worth approximately Rs 76,510 from Yashoda Dairy in Mulund West on October 27 during a food safety inspection drive. The action was part of a statewide drive to check the quality and safety of food products. The press note identifies the establishment under the Mumbai division but does not specify its exact locality.

Thane Municipal Corporation imposed the restrictions on October 28 amid concerns over possible water shortages linked to El Nino. Service centres and garages cannot use drinking water, borewell water or well water for vehicle washing. Pressure jet cleaning is also prohibited, with violators facing punitive action. Read more:

Residents can still clean vehicles using a wet cloth and water collected in a bucket.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked the Congress after it failed to win any seats in by-elections for 28 Legislative Council seats across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka. In a post on X, Modi questioned how many seats Congress won, adding a monocle emoji while highlighting that the elections were held using ballot papers.

Aerial visuals capture the aftermath of the train crash in Spain’s Toledo province as emergency personnel rush to the area. The Civil Guard has deployed Citizen Security personnel, SEPRONA agents and traffic units, with additional teams from Ciudad Real and Albacete also heading to the site. The response includes reserve and security groups, air and drone units, cavalry, canine teams, judicial police and specialists from the Criminalistics Service’s Major Catastrophes Team.

The Centre has approved a 3 per cent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners ahead of Diwali. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the increase will be effective from July 1, 2026, taking the rates from 60 per cent to 63 per cent of basic pay or pension. The revision is expected to benefit around 1.16 crore people, including 48 lakh employees and 68 lakh pensioners. It will have an annual financial implication of ₹10,016 crore for the government.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray visited the Karjat site on October 28 as tree felling began for a proposed 3,000-MW pumped storage project requiring 32,490 trees to be cut. MNS leader Avinash Jadhav said villagers alleged they were not consulted before work began. Thackeray is scheduled to address a public rally in Karjat this evening. ✍🏻: Ranjeet Jadhav Read more:

In an interview, Katrina Kaif addressed postpartum body-shaming after facing criticism over her appearance, questioning why women are expected to “bounce back” after childbirth. She said people are aware of the changes a woman’s body undergoes after giving birth, adding that harsh judgment is a personal choice. Katrina said she wants to focus on motherhood and progress at her own pace. Read more:

A tragic road accident on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway claimed the life of a 25-year-old woman on Wednesday morning. The victim succumbed to her injuries after coming under a heavy container truck during heavy traffic congestion. Following police intervention and clearing of the stretch, normal traffic movement on the highway has been fully restored.