Mumbai: Protests are continuing in Maharashtra and Mumbai in response to the case filed in Kanpur for writing “I Love Muhammad.” Following the controversy surrounding the removal of an “I Love Muhammad” banner in Mumbai, police in Mumbai are now monitoring social media. Additionally, to address the banner controversy, police have appealed to Muslims to refrain from displaying banners in public places, fearing the potential for law and order problems. Police sources have not ruled out the risk of damage to the banners or unrest in Mumbai due to incitement by miscreants against the banners, but the police are monitoring all aspects. “Come to Muhammad (PBUH)” banners are being displayed not only in Mumbai but throughout Maharashtra. Processions are being held under the “Come to Muhammad” banner in all districts of Maharashtra, including Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Ahmednagar, Nashik, Malegaon, Aurangabad, Osmanabad, Bhiwandi, and Thane. Last night, a protest was held in Ahlia Nagar, Ahmednagar, against the case filed in Kanpur for writing “Come to Muhammad.” During the protest in Ahlia Nagar, Ahmednagar, devotees of the Prophet (PBUH) carried placards reading “Come to Muhammad.” Between 1,000 and 1,200 protesters participated. Slogans such as “La ilaha Allah, I have fulfilled my intentions,” “I am a slave, I am a slave to the Prophet,” “Look, O Prophet,” “Look, O Prophet,” and “Look, my child is sacrificed for the Prophet’s honor” were also raised. Police made tight security arrangements for the event. Protests are also being held in Maharashtra and Mumbai, with banners displaying “Come to Muhammad.” Controversy erupted over the display of banners in Mumbai’s Byculla, Sakinaka, and Govindpur. A case was also filed in Byculla for protesting with placards reading “Come to Muhammad.” Police said the case was filed for holding a procession without permission.

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the investigating officer (IO) of the Mumbai police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) to remain present on Tuesday with the case diary in connection with a massive corporate fraud involving forged share certificates and illegal transfer of assets worth over Rs 1,000 crore.

The court was hearing a plea filed by Mamta Digvijay Singh, one of the arrested accused, seeking quashing of the magistrate’s order directing the registration of an FIR under Section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, as well as the FIR itself. Singh, along with co-director Mangesh Pandurang Kadam, was arrested on September 10 in the alleged scam. On Monday, a bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gauram Ankhad questioned the necessity of immediate arrests.

“There are so many such cases. What was the need to arrest these two immediately?” the bench asked, while directing the IO to place on record whether notices were issued to other accused and what inquiries were made prior to the arrests. The court noted that several accused, including Suketu Shah, Nilkanthan Iyer, Nirmal Jain, Balaji Raghuram and Mohammad Shahid do not have any interim protection from arrest.

The matter will be heard further on Tuesday after the IO furnishes details from the case diary. Public prosecutor KV Saste assured the court that the IO would remain present in the court with the case diary. Meanwhile, counsel for the complainant raised a preliminary objection to the maintainability of Singh’s petition, arguing that an order under Section 156(3) CrPC can only be challenged through revision proceedings.

The complaint was filed by businessman Rajat Jhunjhunwala, who alleged that his stake in Shajas Developers Pvt Ltd and its subsidiary JLS Realty Pvt Ltd was fraudulently wiped out by the accused. EOW alleged that nearly 3.9 million shares were illegally dematerialised and transferred through shell firms using fabricated signatures. Forged documents were also submitted to the Registrar of Companies. Witnesses have alleged that fake pledges of shares were created in favour of IDBI Trusteeship Services, raising questions over the involvement of other entities.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) has demanded that the Maharashtra government publish a White Paper on the construction and quality of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, popularly known as Atal Setu, after potholes appeared on the bridge within just 18 months of its inauguration.

Haji Shahnawaz Khan, AIMIM’s in-charge for Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts and state general secretary of the party’s students’ wing, raised serious questions over the project’s execution. He pointed out that the state government spent Rs 7,840 crore on the project, yet within a year and a half, the road surface has deteriorated.

The state administration has imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on the contractor. However, Khan argued that such a penalty is negligible compared to the massive cost of the project and the likely profits earned by the contractor. “Allowing contractors to get away by paying small fines sets a dangerous precedent for other developmental works,” he said.

AIMIM has demanded that the contractor be blacklisted, criminal cases be filed against those responsible, and the company be barred from securing future government projects. The party has also called for a White Paper detailing the total expenses, land acquisition costs, and the list of companies and contractors involved in the construction.

Khan stressed that the people of Maharashtra have the right to know the truth about the Atal Setu project and urged the government to ensure accountability.