Cabinet OKs transfer of over 4 acres of industrial land at Dombivli to temple trust

THANE: Commissionerate Police on Wednesday claimed to have busted an illegal arms smuggling module with alleged links to foreign-based handlers following the arrest of five persons, while the Punjab Police launched an anti-gangster helpline inviting people to share information about gangsters and criminal networks operating in the state.

Talking to media persons, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said preliminary investigations revealed that the arrested accused were in contact with a foreign-based smuggler using virtual numbers. The accused were allegedly receiving consignments of weapons and narcotics through drones from across the border and supplying them to criminal elements in Punjab.

He informed that police teams recovered eight sophisticated pistols and live cartridges during the operation.

Officials believe the module was part of a larger network involved in cross-border smuggling and organised crime activities. An FIR has been registered at Chheharta Police Station, and further investigations are underway to establish backward and forward linkages and identify other associates connected to the racket, he said.

Meanwhile, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav announced the launch of the Punjab Police Anti-Gangster Helpline aimed at strengthening public participation in the fight against organised crime.

He said people can directly share information related to gangsters and criminal activities, with police assuring complete confidentiality of informants.

The DGP further stated that a cash reward of up to ₹10 lakh will be provided for information leading to the arrest of gangsters.

MUMBAI: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the transfer of nearly 4.3 acres of industrial land at Dombivli to the Pimpleshwar Devasthan Temple Trust at a nominal cost, based on encroachment rules.

Located along Kalyan-Shil Road, the Shri Pimpaleshwar Mahadev Temple, believed to be around 150 years old, received pilgrimage site status from the Maharashtra government in 1997.

The land, owned by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) in the Sagaon-Sonarpada area of the Dombivli industrial zone, will be cleared of encroachments and handed over to the trust. The land is currently being used by the trust.

The government was requested to provide the land to the organisation for social work at a nominal cost. MIDC had submitted information to the government in this regard through a resolution. Following this, and based on inputs from the home department, government policy, as well as recommendations from the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) and the state-level committee, the proposal to transfer the land in the name of the Pimpleshwar Devasthan Trust was approved, a government press release said.

The cabinet decision further stated that KDMC should formulate a policy and take appropriate action in matters related to the removal of encroachments on MIDC-owned land, including regularisation or relocation. It was further clarified that this case cannot be used as a precedent, the press release stated.

Temple trust officials said local MP Shrikant Shinde had pursued the matter, and the decision would help in the planned development, beautification and preservation of the temple complex, which includes a gaushala, Vedic school, social hall and over 400 trees.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Bakrid wishes, messages and eid 2026