An abandoned bag discovered near the bungalow of Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane at Marine Drive in south Mumbai caused widespread alarm on Sunday morning, prompting a swift security response and the deployment of specialized bomb disposal units. The incident unfolded around 9:30 am when alert security personnel stationed at the minister's residence noticed the suspicious unattended bag placed close to the adjacent servant quarters and immediately alerted the authorities.

Officials from the Marine Drive police station, accompanied by a Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) team, promptly arrived at the location and cordoned off the surrounding area as a precautionary measure. The response reflected heightened security protocols in place for VIP residences, especially following recent concerns over potential threats in the city. Authorities conducted a thorough inspection of the bag under strict safety guidelines to determine whether it posed any danger.

Upon careful examination, the contents of the bag were revealed to include a pair of shoes, several articles of clothing, and a handwritten note. The note explicitly stated that the items were being offered freely, with the message: "shoes and clothes are free. Anybody can take it." After initial assessments raised no immediate alarms, police proceeded to review extensive CCTV footage from the vicinity to trace the origin of the abandoned item.

Also Read: Former Bihar CM Rabri Devi Moves Out of Iconic 10 Circular Road Bungalow

Through the CCTV investigation, authorities successfully identified and located the individual responsible—a US national in his 40s who had been staying at a nearby hotel in the Marine Drive area. The man had already departed for Goa early that morning after deliberately placing the bag near the servant quarters as a charitable gesture intended for anyone in need. Police contacted him to confirm the details of the incident.

Following verification that the bag contained no suspicious or hazardous materials, the cordoned-off area was declared safe and operations were normalized. The episode, while ultimately harmless, underscored the extreme caution exercised by security forces in handling any unattended objects near high-profile locations, even when the cause turns out to be entirely benign.

Also Read: ‘Fake Hindutva, Gujarat Bias’: Thackeray Cousins Reunite at Mumbai Rally