The Times of India News

A female medical student in Palghar was allegedly forced to perform namaz by another student, leading to police action and the suspension of a hostel warden and teacher. The incident, believed to be ragging, triggered campus tension and protests, prompting a police investigation and heavy deployment.

A 25-year-old homemaker was arrested for allegedly slashing her relative's private parts after he refused to marry her. The incident occurred on New Year's Day in Santacruz East. The accused, who was on the run with her two sons, was apprehended in Ghaziabad.

In a surprising political maneuver, BJP and Congress have joined forces in Ambernath to oust the Shiv Sena from its stronghold. Despite Shiv Sena winning the most seats, the BJP-Congress alliance, bolstered by Ajit Pawar's NCP, has formed a majority. This unexpected coalition ahead of larger city elections has drawn sharp criticism from the Shiv Sena.

Mumbaikars experienced an enchanting moonlight kayaking session at Juhu Beach to welcome the first SuperMoon of 2026, the Wolf Moon. Participants paddled on the calm Arabian Sea as the oversized moon set at dawn, offering a unique perspective of the city's coastline.

Mumbai's education experts are advocating for a shift away from high-stakes final exams towards continuous, year-long assessments. The current marks-centric system is blamed for a student mental health crisis. Discussions at a state-level conference highlighted the need to focus on a student's learning journey and overall development, not just grades, with national reforms like PARAKH supporting this move.

The Bombay High Court has stayed the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) elections scheduled for January 6, citing a hot haste admission of nearly 400 new voter-members. The court found prima facie reasons to interfere, noting the lack of transparency and opportunity for existing members to object to the last-minute additions.

Nine months pregnant BJP candidate Namita Pritesh Pawar is actively campaigning in Nalasopara West, Ward No. 11, surprising residents with her dedication. Driven by personal experience with the VasaiVirar City Municipal Corporation's poor condition and lack of basic amenities, she aims to address these issues. Her husband is providing full support for her campaign.

Six youths, including four minors, have been booked for robbing a passenger on a Harbour Line train at Dockyard Road station. The group surrounded the lone passenger in the luggage coach, with one using a belt to intimidate him before stealing Rs 11,000. Two adults have been arrested, and the minors sent to an observation home.

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) members allegedly assaulted a Borivali resident for objecting to their poll campaigning on his property. The incident escalated into violence near New Link Road, leading to an FIR against 8 to 10 party workers. Investigations are ongoing.

A Pune-based share market consultant was defrauded of 14.65 lakh by individuals posing as RBI officials. They claimed to convert black paper into genuine currency using chemicals. The victim paid for chemicals and later handed over 10 lakh cash and 3.15 lakh via NEFT, believing their fraudulent demonstration.

A Mumbai hotelier has accused a woman of extorting 2 crore by threatening social defamation and filing false cases. The complainant claims a consensual relationship since 2022, during which he allegedly transferred over 32 lakh for various pretexts, including a claimed pregnancy.

Riteish Deshmukh emotionally responded to Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan's claim that his late father, Vilasrao Deshmukh's legacy would be erased from Latur. The actor stated that leaders who served the people live on in public memory, beyond political erasure. Chavan's remarks were made at an election rally, predicting the end of Vilasrao Deshmukh's influence in the city.

A key Mumbai ward, previously held by Congress and then Shiv Sena, is now a family battleground for women candidates. Meanwhile, other wards see strategic party shifts and internal alliance friction as parties vie for dominance in a rapidly developing, infrastructure-strained suburban region.

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) members allegedly assaulted a Borivali resident for objecting to their poll campaigning on his property. The incident escalated into violence near New Link Road, leading to an FIR against 8 to 10 party workers. Investigations are ongoing.

Dahisar Police have arrested one individual from a four-member gang that posed as real estate agents to defraud a chartered accountant of Rs 29.5 lakh. The accused would forge property documents to dupe buyers after posing as brokers to sellers. The gang is also implicated in a similar case in Malad.

Businessman Raj Kundra has been summoned by a special court in a Rs 6,600 crore Gain Bitcoin Ponzi scheme money laundering case. He and another accused must appear on January 19, 2026. The Enforcement Directorate alleges promoters collected Bitcoins promising high returns, then cheated investors. Kundra allegedly received 285 Bitcoins from the mastermind for a mining farm.