Maharashtra
Wearing hijab not essential religious practice, K’taka AG to HC

Wearing hijab is not an essential religious practice in Islam and it can’t come under the Constitution’s Article 25 (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion), Advocate General Prabhuling Navadagi argued in the Karnataka High Court on Monday.
He said that petitioner students have approached the court not just seeking the permission to wear headscarves, but want to wear hijabs to attend classes as part of their religious right.
Contending that the petitioners can’t press for right to wear a hijab under Article 25, he said that the provision doesn’t state it as a fundamental right.
“It is impossible to define religion. Article 25 does not protects the practice of the religion but, which is essential religious practice, so they narrowed it to essential religious practices. In Sabarimala case also, they used the word ‘essential’,” he said.
The core religious practices, those things without which any religion is no religion, shall be considered as religious practices which could be considered under the right to religion, he said.
The practice which is prevented and feared to cause fundamental change in the character of religion is essential practice, he said, adding that essential practice is what causes a religion to vanish if the practice is not allowed.
Food and dress shouldn’t be considered as essential part, Navadagi said, and went on to quote Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statement of not allowing religion into the institutions and how it should be consciously kept out, which could be in the present context of religious symbols.
He also cited imposition of religion on others and noted when the Parliament discussed adoption of secularism, it was argued if is it necessary to have religious rights? The Parliament, at the time of throwing open of temples to all Hindus, stated that social reform must be brought to all religions.
The Advocate General maintained that the question of whether wearing of hijab is an essential religious practice must be settled and then other issues could be addressed. He reiterated that the petitioners simply would not come to the court with a request to permit them to wear headscarves, but seeking they be permitted to wear it as a religious practice.
At this, the bench questioned Navadagi as to what is the stand of the government on wearing of hijab, and if the government order is not specifying anything on hijab, what is the stand – can hijab can be permitted or not?
“If institutions are permitting students with hijab, will the government has any problem?” it asked.
The bench also asked the that the petitioners are seeking to wear same colour headscarf as the uniform, can be treated as part of the uniform? If they are wearing dupattas, can they wear it around their neck?
As he said that complete freedom is being given to the College Development Committees, and as a matter of principle, students are proposed to have secular outlook and can’t display religious symbols, the bench asked whether wearing of cloth around neck is religious?
He said that it is left to the discretion of the institutions, and they would find difficulties in matters of discipline.
Crime
Thane Crime Branch Seizes ₹1.69 Crore Worth MD Powder; Man Arrested While En Route To Mumbra

The Thane Crime Branch Unit One has arrested a man for allegedly possessing over 1 kilogram of MD powder, valued at ₹1.69 crore, which he intended to sell in Mumbra. The accused has been identified as Mohanlal Joshi alias Sharma, a resident of Kudus village in Wada, Palghar.
According to officials, acting on a tip-off received on July 18, a team was deployed near the Mumbra bypass flyover bridge, where the suspect was expected to arrive. The man was intercepted in his car en route to Mumbra. Upon searching the vehicle, the police discovered and seized 1.209 kilograms of MD powder, with an estimated value of ₹1,69,26,000.
He was taken to the police station, and a case was registered against him under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
An investigating officer from Thane Crime Branch Unit One said they are currently probing the source of the contraband and its intended recipients. Efforts are also underway to determine how many others may be involved in the case. Further investigation is ongoing.
Maharashtra
Air India Flight From Kochi Veers Off Runway While Landing At Mumbai Airport Amid Heavy Rains

Mumbai: A major tragedy averted on Monday as Air India flight, AI2744, from Kochi veered off runway at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport amid heavy rains in the city. All passengers are reported to be safe.
As per Air India’s spokesperson, the flight experienced heavy rain during landing, resulting in a runway excursion. The aircraft was taxied safely to the gate. All passengers and crew members deboarded the flight. The aircraft has been grounded for checks.
The hard landing reportedly caused damaged to the primary runway. Repair works are currently underway. Three tyres burst during the landing and the engine of the aircraft likely to have been damaged, Emergency teams were deployed to control the situation.
Visuals Of The Damaged Plane:
“An incoming aircraft from Kochi experienced a runway excursion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai at 09.27 hours on 21 July 2025. CSMIA’s emergency response teams were immediately activated to manage the runway excursion,” a spokesperson for CSMIA said, as quoted by the media house.
“All passengers and crew are safe. There are minor damages reported to the airport’s primary runway – 09/27. In order to ensure continuity of operations, the Secondary Runway 14/32 has been activated. At CSMIA, safety always remains our highest priority,” the CSMIA spokesperson added.
Mumbai Rains:
Heavy rains lashed Mumbai on Monday, throwing normal life out of gear. Waterlogging was reported in several areas, leading to traffic disruption, especially in western and central suburbs. Local train services were also affected due to heavy showers. Local trains on the harbour line were reportedly running 20-25 minutes late.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted more rains in the city during the week as the monsoon activity intensified. On Tuesday, moderate rainfall and overcast skies are expected, along with occasional thunderstorms. The overall temperature will remain mild, although humidity levels may remain steady.
Maharashtra
Mumbai HC Acquits All Convicted in 2006 Train Blasts Case; Death Sentences Overturned

Mumbai | July 21, 2025 — In a landmark verdict, the Bombay High Court has acquitted all 12 individuals previously convicted in the 2006 Mumbai local train serial bomb blasts case, reversing the 2015 judgment of the MCOCA special court which had handed out death and life sentences.
The case (G.R. No. 05/2006, MCOCA Special Case No. 21/2006) pertains to the horrific series of bomb blasts that rocked the Western Railway suburban trains in Mumbai on July 11, 2006, killing over 180 people and injuring more than 800.
On September 30, 2015, the special MCOCA court had sentenced:
- 5 accused to death,
- 7 accused to life imprisonment,
- while 1 accused was acquitted.
Following standard procedure, the death sentences were referred to the Bombay High Court for confirmation, and the convicted individuals filed appeals challenging their sentences.
A division bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice S. G. Chapalgaonkar heard the matter extensively from *July 2024, with final arguments concluding on *January 27, 2025.
On July 21, 2025, the High Court delivered its judgment:
- Rejected the death reference,
- Allowed the appeals of all convicted individuals,
- Set aside the 2015 convictions and sentences passed by the MCOCA special court.
Representing the Government of India and the state of Maharashtra were Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Raja Thakare and Special Public Prosecutor Chimalkar, who argued for upholding the original verdict.
The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Maharashtra, has stated that it is currently analyzing the High Court’s detailed judgment. Consultations are underway with legal experts and special prosecutors to determine the next course of legal action, which may include an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The verdict has sparked significant public and legal interest, as it not only impacts one of the most devastating terror incidents in Mumbai’s history but also raises serious questions about the prosecution’s evidence and investigation.
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