In A First, Ladakh Deploys 100 Ex-Armymen To Curb Eco Violations, Off-Roading

Relatives of the deceased --Aslam Isak Shaikh (55), a resident of Yadav Nagar in Sakinaka, was returning home from work when he allegedly slipped into the uncovered manhole. (Express Photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee) The Sakinaka police on Friday registered an FIR against a contractor and three labourers after a 55-year-old man died after falling into an open manhole on Khairani Road during heavy rain. While the three labourers have been detained for questioning, police have launched a search for the contractor. The case has been registered under Sections 106(1) (causing death by a rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).Senior Inspector Avinash Mandle of the Sakinaka police station said the contractor was absconding and multiple police teams had been deployed to trace him. He added that more persons could be named as the investigation progresses. The deceased, identified as Aslam Isak Shaikh (55), a resident of Yadav Nagar in Sakinaka, was returning home from work on Wednesday evening when he allegedly slipped into the uncovered manhole. CCTV footage from a nearby hotel, accessed by the police, purportedly shows civic workers carrying out work at the site without installing barricades or warning signs, in violation of prescribed safety norms. Shaikh was seen talking on his mobile phone moments before the accident. Workers at the site immediately lowered a ladder into the manhole in an attempt to rescue him, but strong water currents hampered the search. Only his umbrella and slippers were initially recovered. A joint search operation by the Mumbai Fire Brigade and other emergency agencies later traced Shaikh’s body in a stormwater drain near SJ Studio in Sakinaka at around 1 pm on Thursday. He was taken to Rajawadi Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.Story continues below this ad The incident comes less than 48 hours after another rain-related tragedy in Mumbai, in which an 11-year-old boy was killed after a tree collapsed on a school bus in Chembur, raising fresh concerns over civic safety during the monsoon. © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd Manish Kumar Pathak is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates substantial Expertise and Authority across the complex field of crime reporting, with a strong focus on law enforcement actions, fraud, and cyber security challenges facing the metropolitan region. Expertise & Authority Affiliation: Reports for the nationally recognized daily, The Indian Express, providing his content with high Trustworthiness. Geographical Focus: Provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of breaking news and investigative matters across Mumbai and the surrounding regions (e.g., Thane, Vasai). Core Authority: His reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial beats, including: Cyber & Financial Crime: Extensive coverage of sophisticated scams, including cases involving high-value cyber fraud, stock market manipulation scams, and fraudsters using government figures to gain trust. Law Enforcement & Investigation: Reports directly on major police actions, including arrests made by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in fraud cases (e.g., MHADA flat scams) and detailed coverage of murder and kidnapping investigations. Major Incidents & Public Safety: Covers significant incidents like building collapses, road accidents, and public safety issues such as theft at large public events. Defence & Maritime: Also covers key updates regarding the Indian Navy, including the commissioning of new vessels and strategic defense announcements. Manish Kumar Pathak's consistent focus on crime, fraud, and the workings of the Mumbai police system establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for critical news in Western India. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram Tags: Maharashtra

RWA representatives welcomed the ongoing campaigns, saying these initiatives had brought visible improvements and strengthened public trust in the police. They also suggested measures to further enhance their implementation at the grassroots level. Ordering food or parcels in Panchkula may soon come with an added layer of security, as the city police has decided to conduct police verification of all delivery personnel working in the district. The move, announced by Commissioner of Police Pankaj Nain, is part of a wider public safety drive that will also see phased verification of street vendors and hawkers, with unique identification numbers to be issued for their carts and vehicles.The decision was taken during a meeting with resident welfare associations (RWA) presidents and general secretaries from across Panchkula to review law and order, traffic management and community policing initiatives. Nain said “every individual has the right to earn an honest livelihood, provided it is lawful and does not compromise public safety”. “All delivery personnel will undergo police verification, while street vendors, cart vendors and hawkers will also be verified in phases and assigned unique identification numbers to strengthen security and improve accountability.” The meeting also reviewed the ongoing Beggar-Free Panchkula, Crime and Encroachment-Free Panchkula, and Senior Citizen Safety campaigns, which RWA representatives said had improved public confidence in the police. The Commissioner stressed that active public participation is crucial to making these initiatives successful at the grassroots level. Among other decisions, CCTV cameras will be installed at vulnerable locations lacking surveillance with support from RWAs, while police patrolling will be intensified in sensitive areas.Story continues below this ad To follow up on the issues discussed, a special meeting of senior citizen representatives with SHOs and police post in-charges will be held on Sunday at 4 pm to prepare local action plans. Police officials said such interactions with residents will continue regularly to strengthen police-public coordination. Responding to demands raised by residents, Nain said the barricades at Majri Chowk would be removed on a trial basis. Traffic movement will be monitored during the trial period, and a final decision on their removal or reinstallation will be taken after assessing its impact on both traffic flow and public safety. RWA representatives welcomed the ongoing campaigns, saying these initiatives had brought visible improvements and strengthened public trust in the police. They also suggested measures to further enhance their implementation at the grassroots level. The Commissioner said some issues flagged by residents pertained to other government departments and assured them that the police would coordinate with the concerned authorities to facilitate their early resolution. He reiterated that policing is most effective when carried out in partnership with the community and encouraged citizens to continue sharing complaints, suggestions and feedback through the police helpline. © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus

According to the police, the Sector-25 police post team received information that illegal mining was being carried out in the Ghaggar River near Sector 28 using a tractor trolley. (File photo)Four people were arrested for allegedly attacking a team of Panchkula police, obstructing government work, and ramming a police vehicle while trying to stop illegal mining in the Ghaggar River. According to the police, the Sector-25 police post team received information that illegal mining was being carried out in the Ghaggar River near Sector 28 using a tractor trolley. Acting on the tip-off, a joint team of the police and the Mining Department reached the spot and found four men loading mining material into a tractor trolley.DCP (Panchkula) Srishti Gupta said that after seeing the police, the accused started pelting stones at the team and then tried to escape on the tractor. During the chase, they dropped the illegally mined material on the road. When the police tried to stop the tractor, the accused allegedly rammed it into the police gypsy with the intention of causing serious harm to the police personnel. Although the driver tried to avoid the collision, the police vehicle was damaged. A police constable, Ankit Kumar from Yamunanagar, fell from the vehicle and was injured. After first aid, he was referred to GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh, where he received treatment. A case has been registered at the Chandimandir police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 21 of the Mining Act. The investigation is being conducted by ASI Sunil Kumar of the Sector-25 police post. During the investigation, police arrested the tractor driver, Jaswinder Singh, who admitted that he, along with Gurjit Singh alias Bablu, Deepak, and Sonu alias Bihari, was involved in illegal mining in the Ghaggar River. Police also seized the tractor trolley and mining equipment used in the offence. Based on his disclosure, the Sector-25 team led by in-charge Ramu Swami raided Kakrali village in Punjab and arrested the other three accused. Gurjit Singh, Sonu, and Jaswinder Singh are residents of Kakrali village in Mohali, while Deepak is a resident of Rajiv Colony, Sector 17.Story continues below this ad Police said Gurjit Singh was previously booked in a theft case, while Jaswinder Singh has an earlier snatching case registered against him. The DCP said that Panchkula police will not tolerate illegal mining or any attempt to challenge law and order. The investigation is continuing, and if the involvement of any other person is found, strict legal action will also be taken. All four accused have been sent to judicial custody.