Latest news with #Mohite
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
7-day bed rest test helps study spaceflight effects
Koustabh Kari (left) and Akshat Mohite BENGALURU: The Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) under the Indian Air Force (IAF) has completed a seven-day continuous head-down bed rest study to simulate microgravity and investigate how spaceflight affects the human body and mind. The experiment, held between July 10 and 16 at IAM's campus in Bengaluru, is India's first focused study on both physiological and cognitive changes linked to prolonged weightlessness. Two civilian volunteers — Akshat Mohite, 27, founder of the space startup Astroborne Space from Bengaluru, and Koustubh Kari, 23, an MSc Chemistry student from KLE University in Dharwad — took part in the study called 'Satata-shayanānusandhānam'. For seven days, Mohite and Kari remained in a 6° head-down tilt position, lying face-up without standing, sitting, or stepping out of bed. 'This tilt angle was chosen carefully, as it is an internationally accepted standard used by agencies like Nasa and European Space Agency to simulate the effects of microgravity on Earth. The posture causes fluid shifts towards the head, mimicking what astronauts experience in orbit,' one source said. All daily functions, including eating, drinking, and hygiene, were performed while maintaining this posture. Both participants consumed meals developed by the Defence Institute of Bio Defence Technologies (DIBT) for astronauts, similar to those used in isolation studies, and drank water through sippers designed for use while supine. IAM researchers monitored a range of physiological changes during the trial. These included cardiovascular conditioning, muscle atrophy, bone density loss, neurovestibular changes, and fluid redistribution toward the brain. Ultrasound scans of the optic nerve sheath were done every alternate day to detect signs of intracranial pressure, which can occur when body fluids pool in the upper body under microgravity conditions. Baseline tests were performed before the trial to assess medical history, blood and urine profiles, limb muscle girth, and vestibular system stability. Cognitive functions were tested using IAM's in-house software Psumeda, designed to track attention, memory, and decision-making. These assessments were repeated during and after the trial to detect any cognitive decline. Throughout the study, researchers recorded various physiological parameters: continuous heart rate, blood pressure, Muscle girth, Intraocular pressure. Mohite has previously undergone centrifuge training in the US and has experience with space analogue isolation studies. Kari, the second participant, is a student with no prior space analogue experience. The data collected will help develop protocols to manage astronaut health during long-duration missions. 'The team will use the results to design exercise regimens and cognitive training protocols aimed at reducing the risks of cardiovascular deconditioning, muscle loss, and cognitive decline in space. The study will also contribute to understanding neurovestibular changes that can lead to dizziness or balance issues after spaceflight,' another source said. Beyond astronaut applications, the findings may be useful for improving care protocols for bedridden patients on Earth, particularly for geriatric care and rehabilitation. This study ran in parallel with the IAM's Anugami analogue mission — which TOI had reported on Jul 20 — which focused on crew behaviour and psychological resilience in isolation. IAM plans further experiments of longer durations in future phases.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Case against woman staff for gold theft
Lucknow: Police have registered a case against a woman employee who allegedly stole gold worth over Rs 85 lakh (1,494 grams) from a jewellery shop in Lucknow's Sarrafa market on Jan 15 last year. According to Shivaji Kundlik Mohite, the complaint was lodged now as the woman, Suman Triyan (28), maintained that she took the bag containing the gold by mistake, and promised to return it. However, she later switched off her phone. Subsequent visits to her home revealed she vanished, leaving behind a locked house, said Mohite, a bullion trader from Mumbai, with whom she had worked for about a year. According to Mohite's complaint, on Jan 15, 2024, Suman accompanied Mohite to his brother-in-law's shop, Shivaji Bullion, in Lucknow's Chowk Sarrafa Market. It was from there that the woman left with a bag containing 1.494 kg of gold. Mohite alleged that Suman's family members initially promised to return the gold but later refused, allegedly threatening him with false police cases and death threats.
Indian Express
21-06-2025
- Indian Express
Wanted for over a decade, mastermind of multicrore real-estate fraud arrested from Maharashtra: Police
Wanted for over a decade, the alleged mastermind of a multicrore real estate fraud, who duped thousands of unsuspecting investors from Delhi with false promises of land ownership and high returns, was arrested on Wednesday, said police. In a week-long effort, a team of police officers resorted to disguises, carried out field-level verification, and coordinated with local informers to nab the accused, identified as Dattatray Ganpati Mohite, from Maharashtra's Raigad, said officers. A resident of Karjat in Maharashtra, Mohite has multiple cases of cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy filed against him. He was declared a proclaimed offender (PO) in four major FIRs registered with the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and one at the Amar Colony police station in South Delhi. A cash reward of Rs 50,000 had also been announced on his arrest. 'The team worked tirelessly for over a week, disguising themselves as local contractors such as carpenters to gather actionable intelligence through multiple sources, supported by technical surveillance. Field-level verification and coordination with local informers revealed the presence of the top wanted criminal in Raigad district in Maharashtra, where he had been hiding to evade arrest for cheating and forgery cases,' said Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sanjay Sain. 'On June 18, after confirming the authenticity of the intelligence, a well-coordinated raid was conducted by the Cyber Cell team in Karjat. The team swiftly moved in and successfully apprehended the accused under Section 35(1)(D) of the BNSS,' he added. The investigation revealed that Mohite was the alleged mastermind behind a multi-crore real estate scam centering on a bogus housing scheme called Pragati Valley Project in the Karjat area of Navi Mumbai. With his firm, Pragati Land & Housing Corporation, and using over 70 fake estate agencies, he allegedly lured thousands of unsuspecting investors from Delhi with false promises of land ownership and high returns, said police. Using forged site plans, allotment letters, and misleading brochures, Mohite collected over Rs 20 crore from prospective buyers via cash and cheques. However, the project never existed, and the company abruptly ceased operations around 2010, with Mohite vanishing along with other directors. According to the police, none of the promised land parcels were ever owned or approved, and no regulatory permissions were secured. The so-called estate firms served only as booking fronts to facilitate the scam. All documents presented to investors were later found to be fake. After his arrest, Mohite was produced before the court in Raigad, where a transit remand was obtained. He will now be brought to Delhi for further legal proceedings related to cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy. Further investigation is underway to trace his co-accused, recover assets, and dismantle the wider network that supported his long run from the law, said police.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
90% of disputed reserve forest land in Pune under agricultural use
Forest department records have revealed that nearly 90 per cent of reserve forest land currently under dispute in Pune district is being used for agriculture and allied activities. According to official data, at least 14,000 hectares of reserve forest land remain under ownership dispute. Over the past four years, the Pune forest department has been working extensively to resolve land disputes concerning reserve and private forest lands in the district. Most of these disputed lands are in Indapur, Daund, Wadgaon Maval, Baramati, Pune city, and the surrounding areas. A recent Supreme Court ruling has now cleared the way for the department to initiate the process of reclaiming these lands. The roots of the dispute trace back to the British era, when large tracts of land were under the control of the forest and defence departments. In 1978, the Government of India directed the forest department to transfer some of this land to the revenue department for use in administration, town planning, and agriculture. While the transfers were carried out, poor documentation led to confusion over boundaries and ownership. Over time, both departments overlooked these lands, which led to widespread encroachments. In the early 2000s, amid growing concerns over diminishing forest cover and unresolved land disputes, the Centre directed the forest department to identify all reserve forest land handed over to the revenue department and safeguard it against further encroachment. Acting on this directive, the department began the identification process in 2008. Mahadev Mohite, deputy conservator of forests, Pune forest department, said, 'In Pune district, over 36,000 hectares of land was identified. Since 2008, we have successfully reclaimed around 22,000 hectares from the revenue department. The remaining 14,000 hectares are still under their control, mostly in rural tehsils such as Daund, Indapur, and Wadgaon Maval.' 'At least 90 per cent of these lands are currently used for non-forestry purposes, such as agriculture and allied activities like poultry farming, cowsheds, and dairies. In many cases, families have been residing on these lands for generations,' said Mohite. Within Pune city limits, the total reserve forest land amounts to approximately 300 hectares, much of which is currently vacant. 'A key land parcel of 153 hectares in Dighi is under the possession of the defence department. We will now begin proceedings to reclaim these lands. Further scrutiny is also planned in the coming days,' said officials. Jitendra Dudi, Pune district collector, confirmed that the administration is awaiting details from the forest department. 'We have written to the forest department asking them to submit data regarding the disputed reserve forest lands. Based on the information they provide, we will act in accordance with the Supreme Court's directions,' he said.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Marne's close aide Pandya Mohite in Pune police net
Pune city police's crime branch on Wednesday arrested Balakrishna alias Pandya Laxman Mohite (40), a close aide of notorious gangster Gajanan Marne. The arrest comes a day after five policemen were suspended for allegedly providing mutton biryani to Marne in a police van during his transfer from Pune to Sangli jail. Mohite, widely known as Marne's 'right hand', is suspected of handling key financial operations of the gang and playing a central role in its criminal activities. He, along with other associates, allegedly continues to run the Marne gang from Sangli district. Mohite was detained around 4am in Sangli and formally arrested around 12.30pm. He was later produced before a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court and remanded to police custody till May 17. Police said Marne was arrested in February for allegedly attacking an IT engineer in Pune's Kothrud area. On March 3, he was sent to judicial custody. While being shifted to Sangli jail, Mohite and 40–50 supporters from Pune, Sangli, and Satara allegedly followed the police van and engaged in unlawful activities. The entire sequence was captured on CCTV cameras, police said. Mohite has multiple criminal cases registered against him in Bharati Vidyapeeth area of Pune and in Islampur, Sangli district. He also drew public and departmental attention for allegedly arranging mutton biryani for Marne during his transfer from Yerawada Jail to Sangli — an act that led to the suspension of five police personnel. Sources in the crime branch said Mohite had been under surveillance for some time due to his close links with the Marne gang and his suspected involvement in ongoing illegal activities. His arrest is being seen as a key step in the crackdown on Marne's criminal network. Police are currently interrogating Mohite to gather more information about the gang's operations and financial dealings. Further developments are likely as the investigation continues.
