MNS chief Raj Thackeray appeared before the Thane Railway Court on Thursday for a hearing linked to the 2008 railway recruitment violence at Kalyan station. The incident involved MNS workers assaulting North Indian candidates who had arrived for recruitment exams, leading to disruption and damage to railway property. A case was registered against Thackeray and several party workers soon after.

During the brief hearing, the judge asked Thackeray whether he confessed to the charges. Thackeray replied that he did not admit guilt. The judge noted that the matter could be concluded within a month and asked for full cooperation from all accused. Thackeray agreed to comply.

Speaking after the hearing, Thackeray’s lawyer Omkar Rajurkar said the next date has not been decided yet and will be issued later. He added that Thackeray does not need to appear again in person unless directed. Rajurkar confirmed that the court asked whether the accused admitted to the crime, and Thackeray stated clearly that he did not. The judge reiterated that cooperation was expected as the case nears completion.

Rajurkar stressed that Thackeray would continue to cooperate fully with the proceedings.

The case dates back to 2008, when MNS workers allegedly targeted North Indian candidates at Kalyan station during a railway recruitment drive. The attackers argued that migrant job seekers were taking opportunities meant for local youth. Following the violence, a case was filed against Raj Thackeray and seven MNS workers, all of whom were arrested but later released.

Originally heard in the Kalyan Court, the matter was later shifted to the Thane Railway Court. Due to repeated absence of the accused at earlier hearings, the court had issued an arrest warrant, which was later cancelled after an application by Thackeray’s legal team.

With the court indicating that the case could conclude within a month, the matter now moves towards its final phase.

Preparations are underway for the 33rd annual international Sunni Ijtema, scheduled from December 12 to 14, 2025, at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. Considered the largest Sunni religious congregation in India, the event is organised by Sunni Dawate Islami (SDI), a global non-political organisation active in religious, charitable, and educational initiatives.

This year’s Ijtema coincides with 1,500 years of Islam, marked by the central theme “Celebrating 1500 Years of Guidance & Mercy brought by the Messenger of Mercy.”

The event has historically attracted hundreds of thousands of participants, including women, youth, and international scholars who address contemporary issues through an Islamic lens. This year’s discussions include artificial intelligence, digital finance, and modern trade ethics.

The Ijtema opens Friday evening with programmes exclusively for women. Key topics include.

Women as Seekers of Knowledge

Women’s Right to Inheritance

Character and Modesty as the True Ornament of a Muslim Woman

Lessons from the Marital Life of the Prophet

Scholars will also explain Islamic provisions on Khula, a wife’s right to initiate divorce by returning the dower or mutually agreed compensation. The session will highlight that Islamic teachings on knowledge are not gender-specific, with examples such as:

Hazrat Aisha, a revered scholar and instructor to many sahaba

Fatima Al-Fihri, founder of the University of Al-Qarawiyyin, considered one of the world’s oldest universities

Other sessions will address women’s rights to financial maintenance, choosing a spouse, and the pivotal role of education in shaping society. Over 1,00,000 women are expected to attend.

The second and third days are dedicated to men. Themes for the two days include:

Pleasing Allah by Serving Creation

The Spiritual Life of the Prophet

Religious Information and Artificial Intelligence

New Age Issues, Digital Finance, Family and Trade — a Q&A with Mufti Nizamuddin

Moral and Spiritual Development of Youth: From Distraction to Discipline

As every year, career guidance and higher education counselling will be conducted by Team SDI Ummeed. A mass prayer for global peace and prosperity will conclude the event. More than 2,00,000 men are expected to participate.

Renowned International Scholars to Address the Gathering

Allama Shakir Ali Noorie (Founder, SDI)

Allama Qamruzzaman Khan Azmi

Allama Qari Zahiruddin Khan

Mufti Nizamuddin Razavi

Sayyed Khalid Al-Gilani

Sayyed Moin Ashraf

Sayyed Aminul Qadri

Maulana Yunus Misbahi

Qari Rizwan Khan

Dr Waqaruzzama Azmi

Maulana Arif Patel

Al-Haj Sadiq Razavi

SDI president Hazrat Allama Shakir Ali Noorie and chief mentor Hazrat Allama Qamruzzaman Khan Azmi continue to be featured in the “500 Most Influential Muslims” list published annually by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, Amman, Jordan.

A dedicated box for clarity:

Facilities

Large number of ablution areas (Wudu Khana)

Ample restroom facilities

60+ CCTV cameras across the ground

2,000 female volunteers for women’s day

1,000+ male volunteers for Day 2 and Day 3

Police have advised attendees:

Not to carry handy cameras, laptops, wires, batteries, matchboxes, lighters, nail cutters, or other battery-operated electronic devices

No vehicle parking motorcycles or any other vehicles will be permitted around Azad Maidan

A sensational theft aboard the Siddheshwar Express has shocked passengers and police alike, after jewellery worth ₹5.50 crore was allegedly stolen by a group of masked suspects who were seen getting off the train at Lonavala railway station.

According to railway police, CCTV footage shows five to six masked individuals carrying two trolley bags believed to contain the stolen jewellery. Their covered faces have made identification difficult.

One person has been detained by the Railway Crime Branch, and his role in the case is currently under scrutiny.

The complainant, Abhaykumar Jain, a resident of Goregaon, Mumbai, had travelled to Solapur with his daughter Tanishka, carrying jewellery worth several crores.

Police said Tanishka had urged her father to install GPS tracking on their luggage, but the advice was ignored.

Jain sold part of the jewellery in Solapur and was returning with the remaining ornaments when the theft occurred.

The theft came to light only after the train journey ended. Jain then filed a complaint at the Kalyan Government Railway Police (GRP) station.
Both the Kalyan GRP and the Railway Crime Branch are jointly investigating the case.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the suspects may be residents of Mandha in Solapur district.

Police believe the thieves likely had prior knowledge of the jewellery and Jain’s travel details, hinting at the possibility of insider information or prior surveillance.

Investigators are examining CCTV footage from multiple stations between Solapur and Mumbai, analysing the suspects’ movement patterns and potential links across districts.

The probe is ongoing and efforts to identify the masked thieves have been intensified.