KALYAN: The Khadakpada police have registered a case against five persons, including contractors and a site supervisor, in connection with the death of social media reel star Prem Sohan Bhati, who was killed in a road accident near the Mohane NRC gate in Kalyan, police said on Tuesday.The accused have been identified as Nikki Motwani, owner of M/s Alka Mazur Kamgar Sanstha, subcontractors Mahesh Kaluram Bhoir and Dhanesh Shripat Patil, site supervisor Deepak Mahendrapratap Pandey, and other unidentified persons associated with the roadwork project. The FIR was registered following a complaint lodged by Bhati’s brother, Jitu Sohan Bhati.According to police, Prem Bhati, 32, had gone to Yogidham in Kalyan East on the night of the incident to drop his wife at her parental home. After having dinner there, he was returning to his residence in Mohane’s Shivnagar area on his motorcycle. The incident occurred on Saturday. Shortly before midnight, while passing the Mohane NRC gate stretch, his motorcycle allegedly skidded on loose gravel that had been dumped on the roadside for an ongoing gutter repair project being carried out by contractors engaged by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC).Investigators said the gravel had not been stored safely and had spread onto the carriageway due to continuous vehicular movement on the busy road. The loose stones allegedly created a hazardous condition for motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders.CCTV footage had also surface which shows Bhati reportedly lost control of his motorcycle after hitting the gravel, causing the vehicle to skid for several metres. He suffered severe head and limb injuries and was rushed to hospital by local residents and motorists. However, he later succumbed to his injuries.Police said the contractors allegedly failed to install adequate barricades, warning signs or other safety measures at the work site. Based on the findings, a case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death due to negligence and endangering public safety. Further investigation is underway.

KALYAN: In a shocking case of alleged dowry harassment, a woman from Kalyan has accused her husband and in-laws of forcibly shaving her head, physically assaulting her and subjecting her to prolonged mental and physical abuse after her family failed to meet their demands.The victim is currently undergoing treatment at the Central Hospital in Ulhasnagar, while police have registered a case against her husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law and aunt-in-law, and have launched an investigation.According to police, the victim, Afsana Ansari, a resident of Ulhasnagar, married Sameer Ansari, a resident of the Valdhuni area in Kalyan, in November 2025. Her family alleged that they had informed the groom’s family before the marriage about their financial limitations and inability to provide dowry. However, soon after the wedding, Afsana was allegedly subjected to repeated demands for money and other valuables.The woman alleged that she was regularly assaulted by her husband and in-laws and was denied adequate food even during her pregnancy. She further claimed that her hands were burnt with hot water and that she was not given money for basic day-to-day expenses.In her complaint, Afsana alleged that on June 7, her in-laws forcibly shaved her head on the pretext that she had lice in her hair. She accused her husband, mother-in-law, sister-in-law and aunt-in-law of participating in the act. Following the incident, she was allegedly confined to a room for nearly a week and subjected to further harassment.Police said the woman later managed to leave her matrimonial home and reached her sister’s residence, where she narrated the ordeal to her family members. She was subsequently admitted to the Central Hospital in Ulhasnagar for treatment.The victim’s family has demanded strict action against the accused and appealed to the state government to ensure justice in the case.Senior Police Inspector Baliram Pardeshi of Mahatma Phule Police Station said that police recorded the woman’s statement at the hospital after receiving information about her admission.“According to the complaint, the husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law and aunt-in-law had allegedly been demanding money and other items since the marriage. The woman’s hair was allegedly cut on June 7 after family members claimed that it could affect the baby’s breathing. Following the incident, she became mentally distressed,” Pardeshi said.Based on the complaint, police have registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 85, 115(2), 352 and 3(5), against the accused. Further investigation is underway.

KALYAN: The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has ordered an inquiry into the alleged misuse of land and infrastructure within the Kalyan Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), following allegations that facilities meant for farmers’ welfare were being used for commercial activities.The issue was raised during Monday’s general body meeting by BJP corporator Mandar Halbe, who moved an adjournment motion regarding the flower market building under construction within the APMC premises.Halbe claimed that the land belongs to the municipal corporation and demanded that if the structure lacks civic approval, KDMC should take possession of the site and develop a flower market itself.Town planner Surendra Tengale informed the house that KDMC had not granted building permission for the new flower market structure. He said the civic body had issued a stop-work notice, following which APMC approached the Bombay High Court.While the court directed KDMC to grant permission expeditiously, the corporation sought time to finalise conditions and an agreement. Tengale added that KDMC has since approached the Supreme Court against the order.During the discussion, Shiv Sena corporator Sachin Pote questioned the use of APMC land for lodging, boarding facilities, halls and other commercial activities.He said APMC was established to support farmers by providing them marketing infrastructure and selling spaces, and sought a detailed inquiry into whether its resources were being diverted from their intended purpose.Shiv Sena group leader Vishwanath Rane suggested the formation of a special committee to investigate the matter, while BJP corporator Dipesh Mhatre demanded a high-level inquiry panel.Mayor Harshali Choudhary subsequently directed the administration to initiate action against the ongoing flower market construction, citing the absence of civic approval.She also ordered officials to examine and take action against the commercial use of APMC premises, including lodging, boarding facilities, hotels and halls.A special committee will be constituted to investigate the matter and submit its report to the general body within two months, the mayor said.

KALYAN: Shiv Sena leaders on Monday staged a protest at the office of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) in Kalyan, opposing the installation of smart electricity meters and demanding immediate action against frequent power outages affecting residents across the city.A delegation led by Shiv Sena city president Ravi Patil met the Executive Engineer and conveyed public resentment over the ongoing smart meter rollout. Party leaders claimed that the decision has created confusion and dissatisfaction among consumers, with many fearing inflated electricity bills and an additional financial burden.Speaking to officials, Patil said residents across Kalyan are increasingly frustrated by recurring power failures and an erratic electricity supply. He told the media that women party workers, angered by the administration’s failure to address the issue, threw bangles at officials as a symbolic protest against repeated outages.“The women office-bearers are themselves facing the consequences of frequent power cuts. Throwing bangles was their reaction to the continued inaction despite repeated complaints from citizens,” Patil said.The Shiv Sena delegation alleged that several areas in Kalyan, including Mohane and surrounding localities, have been witnessing regular power interruptions, causing inconvenience to households, businesses, and students. The party demanded that MSEDCL immediately resolve the issue and ensure an uninterrupted power supply.The protest also focused on the smart meter project, with Shiv Sena strongly opposing what it described as the forced installation of the devices. Party leaders expressed concerns over the possibility of higher electricity bills and urged the authority to halt the implementation.Warning of a larger agitation, Shiv Sena leaders said that if the mandatory installation of smart meters is not stopped, the party will launch an intensified movement along with Kalyan residents. “If MSEDCL continues to ignore citizens’ concerns, Shiv Sena will be compelled to launch a strong public agitation with the support of Kalyankars,” the leaders said.The protest was attended by several Shiv Sena corporators and office-bearers, including KDMC Mayor Harshali Chaudhari, who joined the delegation in submitting a memorandum to power utility officials.MSEDCL officials assured the delegation that the concerns raised regarding power supply disruptions and smart meters would be communicated to higher authorities for appropriate action.