Bandra Buzz

09/09/2026

On September 6, the Bandra West Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal’s Raja arrived in Bandra for the grand Aagman Sohala.

The procession passed through Hill Road amid powerful Dhol-Tasha beats, vibrant gulal and the devotion and enthusiasm of devotees, before finally reaching the mandal at Bandra Reclamation.

Raja was then brought inside the mandal, marking the beginning of this year’s Ganeshotsav celebrations.

Were you there to welcome Raja? What was your favourite moment from the Aagman Sohala?

On September 6, the Bandra West Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal’s Raj...

08/09/2026

A Mumbai sessions court has rejected nutritionist Megha Rawal’s bail plea in the death of eight-year-old Ansh Gupta, who was knocked down by her Innova Crysta while crossing St John Baptist Road near Jijamata Garden in Bandra West on August 30.

The prosecution alleged that Rawal was using her mobile phone while driving. Rawal has denied this, maintaining that Ansh came unexpectedly into the path of her vehicle.

Opposing bail, Ansh’s father’s lawyer alleged that a witness had been threatened or pressured not to tell police what he had seen. A video of the witness was submitted to the court, while the family sought protection for witnesses. The prosecution also told the court that CCTV footage, Rawal’s phone, the vehicle and further witness statements were still being examined.

Rawal’s lawyer, Niranjan Mundargi, argued that the incident was an accident and that Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, was not applicable.

The court, however, held that alleged use of a mobile phone while driving could attribute knowledge of the danger such conduct posed. It also cited concerns over possible witness influence and the preliminary stage of the investigation while rejecting bail.

Do you think the court was right to deny bail at this stage? Tell us your view in the comments.

07/09/2026

05/09/2026

Twenty-year-old Shubham Prajapati was on a delivery run when a late-night crash on one of Bandra West’s busiest stretches claimed his life.

At around 10:38 pm on Friday, Prajapati was involved in a collision with a black SUV on the Sea Link Reclamation stretch above the Coastal Road.

Police found him unconscious on the westbound carriageway with severe head injuries. He was rushed to Bhabha Hospital, but died at around 12:10 am while undergoing treatment.

The SUV was found around 100 metres from the crash site. Police arrested its driver, 28-year-old Yuvraj Baheti, and impounded the Rajasthan-registered vehicle, reportedly valued at around ₹2.5 crore.

Baheti was produced before a Bandra court on Saturday and later granted bail. Police said he was not under the influence of alcohol.

An FIR was registered on September 5 under Section 106(1) of the BNS, along with other provisions relating to rash and negligent driving. The investigation is underway.

Shubham’s death has also brought renewed attention to the risks faced by delivery workers, who often work against strict delivery timelines on Mumbai’s roads.

Should delivery platforms bear greater responsibility for the safety of riders working under time pressure?

03/09/2026

The Mount Mary Novena 2026 begins on Friday, September 4, and continues through Saturday, September 12, with nine days of prayer leading up to the Feast of Our Lady of the Mount on Sunday, September 13.

One of Mumbai’s most cherished annual expressions of faith returns to Mount Mary this September, as devotees from across the city prepare to gather at the

01/09/2026

ANSH GUPTA, 8: THREE DAYS THAT CHANGED A FAMILY FOREVER

AUGUST 30 | THE CRASH

Eight-year-old Ansh Ravindra Gupta, a Class 3 student at St. Aloysius High School, had gone to Jijamata Garden to play.

Around 2:15–2:30 pm, while returning home and crossing St. John Baptist Road, he was struck by an SUV near the garden.

Bystanders raised the alarm. An auto-rickshaw driver helped get Ansh into the vehicle, and he was taken to Holy Family Hospital.

At around 3:45 pm, Ansh was declared dead.

The driver, Megha Rawal, was arrested.

AUGUST 31 | THE CASE DEEPENS

Police told the court that Rawal was allegedly distracted by a phone call. The case was taken forward under Section 105 of the BNS, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with provisions relating to rash and dangerous driving.

Police sought custody to examine CCTV footage, call records, the vehicle and other evidence, and to question witnesses.

Ansh's parents received his body after the post-mortem.

Their only child was supposed to turn nine on September 2.

SEPTEMBER 1 | MORE QUESTIONS EMERGE

Police told the court that the CCTV footage from the spot was grainy. The defence disputed that the call records establish Rawal was on a call when the crash occurred.

Rawal was sent to 14 days' judicial custody. Her bail plea is to be heard on September 2.

Then came another disturbing allegation.

An eyewitness has alleged that members of Rawal's family offered him money to change his statement. The allegation has been reported, but has not been established as fact.

Three days after Ansh left home to play, the investigation is now examining not only what happened on that road, but whether the evidence and witnesses were subsequently subjected to influence.

Ansh was supposed to celebrate his ninth birthday today.

His family will instead be waiting for justice.

Do you believe every eyewitness in a case like this must be protected from any attempt to influence their statement?

29/08/2026

With just his whistle and a calm, composed demeanour, Traffic Officer Shashikant Vaze kept vehicles moving smoothly at Mehboob Studio junction, Bandra, at 5:40 pm today.

Through this new initiative, Bandra Buzz will spotlight people whose everyday service strengthens our community but often goes unnoticed.

Who should we recognise next? Tell us in the comments.

28/08/2026

Mumbai Police have arrested the alleged main supplier in a case involving 10.010 kg of charas seized near Bandra Terminus, which officers valued at ₹10.01 crore. The suspect was arrested in Bihar while allegedly preparing to flee to Nepal.

The case began on August 17, when the Worli Unit of the Mumbai Crime Branch’s Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) arrested 31-year-old autorickshaw driver Santosh Sav near Bandra Terminus. The charas was allegedly recovered from his possession, following which a case was registered under the NDPS Act at Nirmal Nagar Police Station.

Police said information obtained during Sav’s interrogation led an ANC team, including officers Kiran Wagh and Rohit Sali, to Bihar. On August 23, the team reached Raxaul in East Champaran district and, with assistance from the local police, arrested the alleged supplier before he could reportedly cross into Nepal.

Further investigation into the wider drug-supply network is underway.

What more should authorities do to prevent drug trafficking through major transport hubs such as Bandra Terminus?