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Maharashtra

Abu Azmi Suspended From Maharashtra Assembly Till End Of Budget Session Over Remarks Praising Aurangzeb

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Mumbai: Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi was suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday over his recent controversial remarks praising Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. The Maharashtra SP President’s suspension comes amid the ongoing state Budget Session, and he will remain suspended from the House till the end of the Session, as per reports.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday assured that Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi would be suspended from the Assembly over his controversial remarks praising Aurangzeb and stated that “the people of Maharashtra will not forgive him.”

Addressing the media, Shinde stated that Azmi’s statement would have consequences. “His statement will cost him… He will be suspended. We have put forth our demand to suspend him from the House,” he said.

Shinde’s remarks came just hours after Azmi issued an apology, claiming that his words had been misinterpreted. The SP leader had praised Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, sparking a political controversy and backlash from various quarters. In response, Azmi released a video clarifying that he was merely citing historical accounts and had no intention of disrespecting any revered figures.

Abu Azmi Issues Clarification On Aurangzeb Remark

“My words have been twisted. I only stated what historians and writers have claimed about Aurangzeb Rahmatullah Ali,” Azmi said. In the same video message posted on his X platform, he reiterated that he had not made any derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj, or any other respected figures in Maharashtra. However, he acknowledged the outrage and expressed regret, saying, “If my statement has hurt anyone, I take back my words and apologize.”

Azmi also criticised how the controversy had been politicised, suggesting that it was being used to divert attention from more pressing governance issues. He voiced concern over the disruption of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly’s budget session due to the uproar, arguing that such controversies harm public interests. “The issue is being made political, and shutting down the budget session over this is harmful to the people of Maharashtra,” he stated.

Crime

DRI busts international gold smuggling syndicate, 6 arrested

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Mumbai, July 17: In a significant breakthrough in a transnational smuggling racket, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted an international gold smuggling syndicate and arrested six people, including three Filipinos, officials said on Friday.

The syndicate was allegedly being run with the connivance of private persons working at the airport premises, officials said.

The six arrested accused have been identified as Mumbai residents Himanshu Upadhyay, Mohid Hasan Siddiqui and Feroz Sayyed; and three nationals of the Philippines, Lakim Alimudin Nasser, Benny Lloyd Olivo and Christine Joy Andaya Pornasdoro.

According to DRI, the accused have revealed during interrogation that they were working for a smuggling syndicate that smuggled gold through transit passengers from Dubai and Bangkok to Mumbai, with the help of some people working at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in the city.

Earlier this month, the DRI, in coordination with other agencies including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), had busted an interstate wildlife trafficking syndicate across West Bengal and Maharashtra.

Several wildlife species, listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including 15 Slow Lorises, two Binturongs, 28 Star Tortoises, six Egyptian Vultures and two Shikra birds were recovered and rescued.

The Intelligence in the case was developed by DRI, and the matter is now being investigated by the CBI. The six people were subsequently arrested by the CBI.

The DRI has also foiled multiple attempts by passengers arriving from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Colombo to smuggle protected wildlife into India through international airports.

In these operations, species like Albino Red-eared Turtles, Hypo Zero Bearded Dragons, African Spurred Tortoises, Borneo Pythons, Green Iguanas, Mangrove Monitor Lizards, Argentine Black and White Tegus, Goeldi’s Marmosets, Yellow Cheeked Gibbons, Indonesian Blue Tongued Skinks, Siamang Gibbons, Woolley Monkeys, Silvery Lutungs, Yellow Belly Ball Pythons, Pastel Ball Pythons and other species were seized and rescued.

The total number of seizures in these operations has reached 440.

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Maharashtra

FDA conducts major raid on cosmetics store in Jogeshwari, seizes unlabeled toilet soap

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Mumbai, July 16: A team of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Greater Mumbai Division conducted a major raid at M/s JK Soap Bazaar, 10/11, Qadir Ismail Estate, Near Momin Colony, Patel Estate Road, Jogeshwari (West), Mumbai – 400102. During the operation conducted on July 14, 2026, it was observed that unlabeled toilet soap was being stored and offered for sale in the establishment. The seized soap lacked statutory information like batch/lot number, date of manufacture, ‘first use’ date, manufacturing license number, and name and address of the manufacturer. Selling cosmetics without such mandatory labelling is a violation of the law. During this operation, toilet soap worth about Rs 10,93,692 was seized, and two samples were collected for analysis as part of the ongoing investigation. The accused in this case is Nabiullah and necessary legal action is being initiated against him. “The Food and Drug Administration gives top priority to the protection of the health of citizens. Making any cosmetic product available for sale in the market without labelling as per the law is a very serious matter. It becomes difficult to verify the source, quality and safety of such products. Therefore, strict legal action will be taken against the violating manufacturers, distributors and sellers.” This warning was given by Takaram Mandhe, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra State.

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Maharashtra

AIMIM Govindi corporator’s husband Atiq Khan banished from city for a year, makes emotional appeal to public on social media and apologizes

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Mumbai: Maharashtra AIMIM leader and husband of a corporator from Govindpura, Atiq Khan, has been banned from the city for one year by the Mumbai Police. In an emotional message on social media, Atiq Khan said that he has been banned from Mumbai city and suburbs for one year, so he will be unable to do pending work or visit the area. If the public or students face educational difficulties due to his absence in the area for one year, he apologizes for it. The police had registered a case against Atiq Khan for violence and rioting, and accordingly, he has been banned, so a complete ban has been imposed on his entry into the area for one year. The ban on this ban will come into effect today. Therefore, Atiq Khan has made a very emotional video and apologized to the public on social media and has also expressed his passion for public service and said that he will continue to serve the public.

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