Family-run burglary gang busted in Thane; 3 arrested, 2 minors detained
Thane (PTI): Two men and a teen have been arrested and their minor sons detained for allegedly carrying out a series of house break-ins and burglaries in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Sunday.
Earlier this week, the Mahatma Phule Chowk (MFC) police in Kalyan busted a family-run burglary ring in which the men scouted for locked houses and directed their sons to break in and steal valuables, a senior police official said.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kalyan) Ashok Honmane said that the police have arrested a 19-year-old man, two fathers and detained two minors, and recovered stolen gold ornaments worth Rs 21.6 lakh.
The matter came to light following a complaint lodged on May 8 in Kalyan West, following which a case of housebreaking and theft was subsequently registered, he said.
Acting on tip-offs, the police arrested Kailas Vilas Bhalerao (19), a resident of Mohane in Ambivali, on May 13, and detained two minors aged 14 and 15 years, the official said.
"Interrogation revealed that the fathers, Vilas Prakash Bhalerao (38) and Deepak Ashok Jadhav (40), used their daily jobs to recce houses in residential societies and would then pass on this specific information to their children," he said.
The arrested teen accused would target the houses along with the minors and decamp with cash and jewellery.
Investigations have revealed that the gang was involved in at least three other burglaries in the Kalyan area, the official said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Delhi govt to provide up to Rs 10 crore collateral-free loans to women startups, SHGs
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi government will provide collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 crore to women-led start ups and self help groups in the national capital, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday.
The government will also provide platforms in malls and large shopping complexes across the city to help indigenous products made by women self-help groups (SHGs) reach a wider market.
"We are working on a wider scale to make the women of the capital self-reliant, entrepreneurial, and economically empowered. Arrangements have been made for providing collateral-free loans up to Rs 10 crore to women self-help groups and startups," Gupta said in a statement.
She said the Delhi government itself would act as guarantor for such loans extended to women start ups and SHGs.
Addressing the inauguration of a two-day 'Mega Self Help Group (SHG) Mela-2026' organised in Rohini on Saturday, Gupta said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently promoted the vision of 'Vocal for Local', 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', and 'One District, One Product'.
She said the SHG Mela was an effort to promote indigenous products prepared by women and connect them with the wider market.
Around 24 self-help groups participated in fair, where handicrafts, crochet work, khadi, household products, food items, and other handmade products were exhibited and sold. Handicrafts under 'One District, One Product' initiative of North-West Delhi district were also showcased.
Gupta said that people often preferred foreign brands despite Indian handicrafts, khadi, household products, and handmade items being comparable in quality.
"The only requirement is better branding and marketing of these products," she said.
She appealed to people to use more local and indigenous products instead of foreign goods.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to conserve fuel, use public transport, and adopt indigenous products, Gupta said the Delhi government was also promoting campaigns such as 'Monday metro' and 'No Vehicle Day'.
"If people make small changes in their daily routine, it will directly benefit the country," she said.
